Renault confident after good week of testing

The ING Renault F1 Team today completed its four-day test programme at the Paul Ricard HTTT in southern France. The session was conducted in preparation for next weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix, and also the Canadian Grand Prix in three weeks’ time. The team and drivers were able to collect a significant amount of interesting data that will now be analysed in preparation for the races ahead.

Giancarlo Fisichella was on track for the final day of running and, building on the testing conducted yesterday by his team-mate Heikki Kovalainen, the Italian completed the team’s technical programme. Running on the 1E b SC V2 circuit configuration, designed to mimic the demands of Montreal’s Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, he concentrated on set-up work following by aerodynamic testing.

The day was completed without major problems, and the ING Renault F1 Team once again completed a full technical programme. At the end of the day, Giancarlo had covered 112 laps and was second-fastest in a time of 1:29.209.

Giancarlo Fisichella: “We had a good day: 112 laps with no problems. In terms of performance, the times are very closer and I am pleased with what we achieved today, as well as the handling of the car. We completed a big programme in preparation for Canada, and I think we are going in the right direction. I am pleased to be here working with the team today, because I know how important it is for us all to work hard at the moment.”

Christian Silk, Chief Test Engineer: “We concluded our programme with a good day’s work. The car was handling well, and we made good progress in preparation for the next races. It was a long, busy test this week but everybody gave maximum effort – and I think the good results we achieved this week, will keep us pushing even harder in the weeks ahead!”

Giancarlo Fisichella, R27-06, 112 laps, 577 km, best lap: 1:29.209