Honda Racing F1 Team returned to Europe this week for the first oftwo important tests before the San Marino Grand Prix at Imola in twoweeks time. The three-day test at the Vallelunga circuit in Italy sawJenson Button, Anthony Davidson and James Rossiter completing thetesting duties as the team focused on chassis set-up work, tyreprogrammes and running the latest specification engine.
Anthony and James began the test on Tuesday morning with both driversconcentrating on chassis set-up and tyre evaluations to address the tyreissues encountered in the Australian Grand Prix and evaluate the optionsfor the San Marino Grand Prix. Anthony completed 120 laps, setting thefastest time of the day, with James covering 132 laps.
After flying in from the Australian Grand Prix, Jenson joined the teamon Wednesday, taking over the testing responsibilities from James. Hespent his early laps acclimatising to the car and the circuit beforerunning through a chassis set-up programme. Anthony worked through anintensive tyre programme evaluating tyres for the San Marino andEuropean Grands Prix. Despite an early afternoon rain shower whichinterrupted the test programme for some time, both drivers were able tocover significant mileage, with Jenson completing 108 laps and Anthonycompleting 158 laps.
The test programme concluded on Thursday with Jenson continuing hischassis set-up development, alongside a tyre programme looking at thebest options from Wednesday's running. Anthony once again focused ontyre work with an evaluation of the options for the European Grand Prix,along with further development on tyre warm-up. Jenson completed 113laps with Anthony running for an impressive 163 laps.
Jenson Button"Testing went well this week. The weather wasn't great yesterday as itwas fairly windy and cold but actually that was perfect for us as we aredoing a lot of work to see why we can't get heat into the tyres or makethem work when the temperatures drop. I spent the two days mostlyconcentrating on this along with some regular tyre testing for the nextraces. We got some very useful info so all in all it's been a goodtest."
Anthony Davidson"It was a faultless three days of testing this week with really goodreliability enabling us to cover a great deal of mileage. I completedover 1800kms over the course of the test. My main focus this week wastyre work, particularly looking at the options for Imola and alsoworking on the tyre warm-up issues that we have been experiencing.Although we have made good progress, there is more work to be done atBarcelona next week, but overall we are feeling positive about the car'sperformance."
James Rossiter"We had a very good and constructive day on Tuesday. I ran throughvarious set-up options on the car and also completed a tyre programme inthe afternoon looking at options for the next race. Overall the day wentsmoothly and we were able to cover a lot of mileage."
Mark EllisChief Engineer Vehicle Performance"We have had an extremely constructive test this week, with ourpriorities focused on understanding the issues that affected our raceperformance during the Australian Grand Prix. Our aim is clearly tocarry our qualifying performance into the race to help us to deliver ourgoals. We are optimistic that our efforts this week, coupled with themany new components to be tested next week in Barcelona, will achievethis in Imola."
Shuhei NakamotoManagement Board Member - Honda Racing F1 Team, Engineering Director -Honda Racing Development "The engine ran very well for all three days of the test this week andwe will be continuing the development programme in Barcelona next weekin preparation for the San Marino Grand Prix."
