Force India tests with talentful trio at Barcelona
Force India Formula One Team has completed another trouble-free day of testing at the Circuit de Catalunya, Spain. The three drivers testing for the team today, Adrian Sutil, Christian Klien and Vitantonio Liuzzi, continued the team's programme of accumulating data on the new electronic control units, putting in more than 1,000km.
The trio were incredibly closely matched over the day, finishing within two tenths of each other, however it was Klien who posted the team's fastest time; a 1min 24.446.
Austrian Klien, who last tested for the team in Spa back in August, piloted one car throughout the morning, before handing it to Liuzzi just after 13:00hrs. The Italian put in 56 laps, just a tenth from the Klien's fastest time. Sutil meanwhile completed a comprehensive programme throughout the day to gather plenty of information on the new-for-2008 electronics. A huge 105 laps later, both he and the team were pleased with the progress shown today.
Klien and Liuzzi will take one car each to continue their respective programmes tomorrow, the third and final day of the test.
Mike Gascoyne, chief technical officer "Generally a very productive day of testing. Our major test item on both cars was the standard ECU configuration. We had no major problems and were work through to get through the unsolved issues, with both cars completing over 100 laps each. It was also a chance to test Christian and Tonio, who had their first runs in the car to make themselves comfortable. We will continue our programme tomorrow with them driving a car each for the whole day."
Adrian Sutil "We put in some long runs today, which were very consistent and let us see really where the balance of the car was. At the end of the day it did not feel too different to the last races, as the car is the same just with the new electronics, but without the traction control. It takes time for everyone to get used to it as it is very sensitive now and difficult to get the maximum acceleration. This was the main point today; to concentrate on braking and acceleration, but it was also a day for me to drive and get used to the new package."
Christian Klien "I was pretty pleased with the testing today, especially considering I had not tested a car since August. It took some time to get used to it again, particularly without any of the driver aids, but once I had settled in I could put in some good times and help the team with its programme. Doing 56 laps in just over a morning was pretty good and I'm looking forward to getting back in the car for some more tomorrow."
Vitantonio Liuzzi "I think today went well. For sure I enjoyed it. With traction control there is a bit more action, and you need some more concentration and have to work harder, especially over longer runs. I had some problems getting comfortable in the cockpit, which is normal after years at another team and lost maybe a couple of tenths, but I think we did some good work today. The car has some small issues, but we can always overcome it - the team is very professional. I am just doing my best and seeing if we can work well together."
