01/10/2004
NEWS STORY
Lucky Strike BAR Honda concluded a three-day, two-car test at the Jerez circuit in Southern Spain this week with its two test drivers Anthony Davidson and Enrique Bernoldi. Driving chassis 060-03 and chassis 060-02 respectively, the two drivers are standing-in for the race drivers at the last two tests which fall between the flyaway races. The test programme was completed in full successfully, and the team came away with valuable data for the two remaining Grands Prix of the season.
Day One (Tuesday) began with a frustrating morning for Anthony as gearbox problems cost him running time. However his problems were resolved in time for him to spend the afternoon session running through a tyre programme to evaluate tyre options for the forthcoming Grands Prix. He completed a total of 87 laps, setting the third fastest time of the day - a 1:17.789. Enrique spent the morning acclimatising himself to the car and the circuit, as he began his first proper test for the team following a short afternoon run at Silverstone two weeks ago. In the afternoon he completed two long runs on a tyre evaluation programme for different types of 2005 tyres. Enrique completed a total of 92 laps for the day and posted the eighth fastest time - a 1:18.943.
Day Two (Wednesday) saw Enrique's car fitted with a Suzuka specification engine in preparation for the forthcoming Japanese Grand Prix. He spent the morning running through further tyre evaluation programmes and the afternoon conducting race start simulations to complete a total of 80 laps for the day. Anthony´s morning programme saw him conducting some aerodynamic tests on various front and rear wing settings. With a Suzuka engine fitted to his car at lunchtime, the afternoon was spent running through a tyre test to evaluate compounds, alongside a suspension evaluation. He completed a total of 97 laps today setting the third fastest time - a 1:16.921.
Day Three of the test (Thursday) began with both drivers evaluating tyre choices for the forthcoming Grands Prix. Anthony concentrated on longer runs but unfortunately he suffered an engine failure on his last run of the day. Nevertheless he completed a total of 126 laps setting the fourth fastest time - a 1:16.568. Enrique ran through another part of the tyre evaluation programme and finished the afternoon session doing practice race starts. His final lap tally for the day was 106 laps setting a best time of 1:17.208.
Anthony Davidson: "We achieved everything that we planned in Jerez and it has been a really good test for the team. The weather conditions have been ideal for testing which means that we have gathered a lot of consistent data. I spent the majority of the week running through tyre programmes and an aerodynamic evaluation, which produced good results. We also tested the new spec engine from Honda for the Japanese Grand Prix and are all looking forward to seeing the results in the race next weekend."
Enrique Bernoldi: "It has been a good test in Jerez this week and I feel we have made a great deal of progress. After two years away from Formula One, I have really enjoyed the chance to get back to testing and learn more about the car and the team. We completed a lot of laps, mainly running through tyre evaluations for the forthcoming Grands Prix and collecting valuable data for the race drivers. Overall I am very happy with my performance and the opportunity to begin contributing to the team's test programme."
Andrew Alsworth, Test Team Manager: "We have had a very positive three-day test at Jerez this week and have completed our planned programme. Our test drivers Anthony and Enrique acquitted themselves well, covering almost 2600 kms between them. Anthony spent the majority of the week running through a comprehensive tyre evaluation, alongside a brief aerodynamic evaluation. Enrique, participating in his first proper test for the team, impressed with both his attitude and his feedback. He completed a total of 278 laps covering 1200 kms, which is particularly impressive considering that he has not driven a Formula One car since Hockenheim 2002. Both drivers ran the Suzuka spec engine, completing Honda's target mileage. We are now looking forward to the Japanese Grand Prix, which has extra interest for us as one of our two home races."
Shuhei Nakamoto, Engineering Director, Honda Racing Development: "We've clocked up a lot of valuable mileage on the Suzuka spec engine over the three days, and are not too concerned about the problem on the last day with Anthony's car. We're just looking forward to producing an exciting race for our home fans next weekend."