Mechanical failure for Fisichella
The ING Renault F1 Team today continued testing in Valencia, in spite of unpredictable conditions that once again forced the team to adapt its technical programme. Following an installation lap when the circuit opened, the two Renaults then waited for the circuit to improve before beginning their programme. A sunny spell around 13:00 meant the track was finally good enough for meaningful running.
Both drivers began long runs at this time in order to assess the handling of the R27 on the ‘green’ track, and to collect as much data as possible. With start simulations and refuelling in the pit-lane, the goal was once again to cover a race distance with each car.
However, a mechanical failure on Fisichella’s car during the afternoon forced the Roman to cut short his running. And when it began to rain again during the afternoon, the team decided to save Kovalainen’s programme for tomorrow in the expectation of improved conditions.
The day’s work was therefore rather disrupted, but the team was nevertheless pleased with the car’s performance, with the team’s drivers finishing 2nd and 3rd on the timesheets. The team will continue testing with the race drivers over the next two days.
Giancarlo Fisichella: “The weather dictated our running once again today. We waited for a long time, which ate into our programme, but these things happens. I had a mechanical problem but I’m not worried – the team is working to find out what happened, and it is always better to have these problems in testing… We will carry on with the programme tomorrow, hopefully with some better weather!”
Heikki Kovalainen: “The track conditions today were changing all the time, and quite tricky, but we still made some progress with our work. We need to carry on in the same direction tomorrow, and hopefully we can do more laps. The performance of the car seems OK, but we want to put more miles on it – and we need better weather to do so!”
Giancarlo Fisichella, R27-02, 40 laps, 158 km, best lap: 1:12.731
Heikki Kovalainen, R27-01, 45 laps, 178 km, best lap: 1:12.769
