Montagny tests new aero package for Fuji

Panasonic Toyota Racing started a three-day test programme with Franck Montagny at the wheel of the TF107 at Jerez in Spain. The test is particularly significant as it is the last chance the team has to finalise car development before the season-closing races in Japan, China and Brazil.

The next race is at the revamped Fuji Speedway, which has not hosted a Grand Prix since 1977, so much of today’s testing work focused on aerodynamic and mechanical set-up work to prepare for the Japanese Grand Prix. The team has a new aerodynamic package for Fuji Speedway and Franck worked on refining that today. Ralf Schumacher takes over from Franck tomorrow for day two, while Jarno Trulli will conclude the test on Thursday.

Franck Montagny - Chassis TF107/06
Best Lap Time: 1min 21.555s
Position: 4th
Total laps: 72 Total distance: 318.356km
”It was quite a good day. We got through a lot of work, most of it in race specification, and it was interesting. I had a few problems with oversteer in the morning, which was wearing the rear tyres, but part of that was down to track conditions. The situation improved in the afternoon when we changed the set-up and worked on the front and rear wings and the floor – basically the latest aero package for Fuji. By the end of the day I think we had quite a good understanding of things. Personally, it was the first time I had been in the car for about a month and a half, so I enjoyed the day.”

Gerd Pfeiffer, Test Team Manager “Everything we had on our schedule got done, which is always satisfying. We have established a good baseline and will continue to concentrate on aerodynamic and set-up work with the race drivers on Wednesday and Thursday. We can be quite happy with our opening day.”