Productive day for Renault at wet Barcelona track

ING Renault F1 Team today continued its testing programme in Barcelona with Heikki Kovalainen at the wheel of chassis R27-05. The Finn took over driving duties from Nelson Piquet Jr, after the Brazilian completed the opening day of the team’s programme as it prepares for the Spanish Grand Prix.

Heavy rain disrupted this morning’s programme, and the team only took to the track at around 13:00 once conditions had improved sufficiently to allow the car to run. The team then attempted to make the most of the wet conditions to work on the handling of the R27. Heikki completed 53 laps (243 km) as he focused on set-up improvements, and he collected interesting data in the changing, tricky conditions. The day proved productive, but the team is hoping for improved conditions tomorrow.

Heikki Kovalainen: “Clearly, we didn’t follow the programme we had initially planned owing to the poor conditions, but it was still a useful day for myself and the team. Personally, I tried to use every lap to improve something: trying a new line, or pushing the braking points a bit further. The track was changing all the time, and we were able to run the wet and extreme wet tyres today. To be honest, I enjoy driving in the wet, it’s different to normal and good fun for the drivers.”

Christian Silk, Chief Test Engineer: “Today’s poor weather meant we lost a morning of running. We tried to make the most of our day, working on the set-up and the different control systems. Having said that, we hope to get back on programme tomorrow in improve conditions.”

Given the poor weather encountered today, ING Renault F1 Team has decided, along with the majority of the teams present, to extend its testing programme by a day. Heikki Kovalainen will therefore continue running tomorrow.

Heikki Kovalainen, R27-05, 53 laps, 243 km, fastest lap: 1’32.149