Renault hoping for more productive day tomorrow

ING Renault F1 Team today completed its third day of testing at the Sepang circuit in Malaysia. However, rainstorms during the day disrupted running for all teams, and the decision has been taken to extend the test by an additional day.

The objectives for the third day of testing were to pursue aerodynamic testing, and continue set-up work based on results from yesterday’s testing. However, the programme was delayed as the team waited for new parts to arrive direct from Enstone. The team on site worked hard to prepare the car as quickly as possible, but Heikki Kovalainen only completed a total of 20 laps during the day.

Heikki Kovalainen “There’s not much to say after today’s test. We didn’t do very many laps, and that’s always frustrating. But the team has worked really hard, both at the track and back in the factory, and the extra day of testing will be useful to round off our programme.”

Christian Silk, Chief Test Engineer “We did very few laps today, not just because of the poor conditions – but also because we were waiting for components to arrive from Enstone. The team did its utmost to ensure the delay cost us as little track time as possible as we prepared the car. It is always disappointing not to get the most from the day, but it is not a major worry, especially as the conditions today were not particularly good. We will be running again tomorrow, and hope for a more productive day.”

Owing to today’s poor weather conditions and the consequent delay for all teams’ test programmes, the decision has been taken to extend the Sepang test by a day. Therefore, ING Renault F1 Team will test again tomorrow, along with most teams present in Malaysia.

Heikki Kovalainen, R27-04, 20 laps, 109 km, best lap: 1:39.654