Encouraging test session for Force India
Giancarlo Fisichella and Adrian Sutil brought the debut test of the Force India Formula One Team's new aero package to an end today at the Circuit de Catalunya, Spain. Again the team's performance over the day was encouraging, with Giancarlo posting the 12th fastest time of the day and Adrian the 16th.
The team continued its simulation of a race weekend, with set up and Qualifying work in the morning and long race-distance runs in the afternoon. Again red flags punctuated the session, but Force India managed to complete its programme for both the day and the test.
The team will now go back to its Silverstone base to finalise preparations for the opening race of the season in Australia in just over two weeks.
Mike Gascoyne, chief technical officer "A reasonable end to the test, although we did have slightly more problems than on the other two days. Our main aim was to do a full race distance with both cars, which we managed to achieve in the end despite the red flags and an exhaust problem on Giancarlo's car. Overall the race pace was very good, particularly Giancarlo's, and was competitive over the three days. We have actually made a step forward and we know we have got another substantial improvement for Melbourne, so well done to all the team for its hard work. We will now go back to the factory to get ready for the first race of the season."
Giancarlo Fisichella "It's been a good day and once again we did over 100 laps. We completed a race distance and, apart from the red flags, everything is going well. I am quite happy because first of all the car balance was very good and then the times were very consistent. We are quite close to most of the other people, which is also encouraging. The team did a good job and I am very happy with the atmosphere now."
Adrian Sutil "We did a lot of laps today and it was good to have some long runs and a race simulation. Unfortunately the longer stints were not so good, mainly we were struggling a little bit to find the right tyre pressures. The most important thing though was that we did a full race distance and when we come back here it will be in completely different conditions. The Qualifying simulation in the morning went well and I am convinced for the next outing in Melbourne we will be fine. I am confident."
Testing data
Driver: Giancarlo Fisichella & Adrian Sutil
Track: Circuit de Catalunya, Spain
Best lap time: 1min 22.233 (Giancarlo) / 1min 22.521 (Adrian)
Laps completed: 209 (102 Giancarlo, 107 Adrian)
Kilometres completed 973km
