Honda's first day at Catalunya

The Honda Racing F1 Team’s final test before the start of the European races began today (Wednesday) at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona. All the F1 teams are testing in Barcelona this week to take advantage of the last chance to run on the track before the Spanish Grand Prix in May.

The weather was cool and sunny with ambient temperatures reaching 19˚C and track temperatures reaching 27˚C by lunchtime. Rubens Barrichello and Anthony Davidson began the test today driving chassis RA106-03 and RA106-02 respectively.

Rubens began the day with a couple of set-up runs and having found a good balance on the car, he then began an aero evaluation, completing 51 laps in the morning session.

Anthony completed some early aero runs before beginning a chassis set-up evaluation. With the track improving throughout the morning, he found a good balance on his car and completed the planned morning test programme, covering 61 laps.

Rubens continued to work on his aero evaluation in the afternoon session. He completed a further 55 laps, bringing his total for the day to 106 laps, and setting the second fastest time of the day – a 01:15.125.
Anthony spent the afternoon continuing the chassis set-up evaluation which he began this morning. He completed 52 laps for a final lap tally of 113 laps today, setting the fourth fastest time – a 01:15.342.

Jenson will join the test tomorrow taking over from Anthony in chassis RA106-02.