Renault not to prolong Monza test despite bad weather on third day
The ING Renault F1 Team today concluded its three-day pre-Grand Prix test at Monza, ahead of next weekend's thirteenth round of the 2007 FIA Formula 1 World Championship, the Italian Grand Prix. Appalling conditions greeted the teams this morning, with torrential rain falling when the circuit opened. Giancarlo completed an installation lap at 09:30, but the circuit conditions were unsafe throughout the morning.
After several violent storms, the circuit re-opened at 13:10 and the team was able to begin its technical programme with Giancarlo, at the wheel of chassis R27-06. The experienced Italian knows his home circuit well, and this afternoon he focused on a set-up programme, as he fine-tuned the car's handling in drying and then fully dry conditions.
By the end of the day, the Italian had completed 72 laps, setting a fastest time of 1'25.069 which put him eighth in the final standings. Although the poor weather meant he was unable to complete a full programme, the useful data he collected will provide a good starting point for his work in Friday practice next week.
Having completed its major test items, and in order to save mileage for testing later in the year, the ING Renault F1 Team opted not to prolong the test by an extra day, and the team will return to base this evening.
Giancarlo Fisichella: "Even though we did less running than planned, I am quite pleased with the day. It was an important test, just one week before my home race, and all the more so because this is a very unusual circuit in terms of the high speeds, and how we use the brakes. I ran in wet and dry conditions, and I think we made good progress ahead of next week's race. "
Christian Silk, Chief Test Engineer: "The weather conditions were just too bad to run in this morning. But by the end of the day, the engineers were pretty pleased with the car balance, which is promising ahead of next week's Grand Prix. We collected a lot of data during these three days of testing, and our performance engineers will now begin analysing them to put us in the best possible position for next weekend."
Giancarlo Fisichella, R27-06, 72 laps, 314 km, best lap: 1'25.069
