17/03/2006
NEWS STORY
Bridgestone-shod Alex Wurz set the fastest time of the day this morning at the Sepang International Circuit as the Formula One teams prepared for round two of the FIA Formula One World Championship in Malaysia. As a Friday test driver, Wurz has the benefit of running without the need to preserve his engine and carries out essential tyre assessment work on behalf of his team. His Williams teammates consequently did not run in the first session and waited until the afternoon practice before venturing out of the garage for a limited number of laps. Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro's Michael Schumacher and Felipe Massa were also up with the front runners in today's sessions, setting the tone for the weekend ahead. MF1 Racing made use of their Friday test driver Giorgio Mondini, the Swiss driver putting in 22 and 20 laps in the respective sessions on his F1 debut.
Hisao Suganuma, Bridgestone Motorsport Technical Manager: "As is the case on a Friday the track conditions took a while to clean up but the grip improved towards the end of the session. WilliamsF1's Alex Wurz used the session well to get some consistent and competitive runs in, setting the fastest lap of the session in the process which will be encouraging for the Bridgestone runners. The afternoon session produced more action from the teams and the improved conditions allowed for a fuller assessment of the teams' primary and option specifications. Although we still have tomorrow's session it looks as if we will see a cross section of our tyre specifications in the race on Sunday. We expected hot conditions for this race weekend and it seems as if the specifications we have brought will be competitive this weekend."