Minardi Cosworth spent the first day of this week’s three-day FIA test at the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza assessing new chassis set-ups and aerodynamic components, as well as a revised specification for the Cosworth Racing CR3L engine.

The team’s regular Friday tester, Bas Leinders, handled the driving duties during the morning session, with Gianmaria Bruni then taking over. A fresh engine was fitted prior to the start of the afternoon session, and Bruni then launched into a tyre evaluation programme with technical partner, Bridgestone.

The two drivers completed a combined total of 377 kms in excellent weather conditions.

Testing continues at Monza tomorrow, with Bruni scheduled to drive until mid-morning. He will then hand over to team mate, Zsolt Baumgartner, for the remainder of the day.         

BAS LEINDERS

“Things went very well today. We tried some new mechanical settings, aimed at optimising the aerodynamic performance of the car, and I had almost three hours of running this morning.

"There were no major problems, and we gathered some valuable data, which is likely to be of use after the Monza race.

"The test also gave me a good chance to gain experience of driving our car in low-downforce configuration, which is the normal set-up here at Monza.”    

GIANMARIA BRUNI

“It has been a good opening day to the test. We had a small problem with the brakes early on, but that was sorted, and then we spent some very useful time testing different Bridgestone tyre compounds.

"My quickest lap was reasonable, but it will be better tomorrow. We’ll do another 30 or 35 laps in the morning, and focus on our race set-up for Monza next week.”

ANDY TILLEY, Senior Engineer

“We ran Bas this morning, carrying out normal aero testing and set-up work, and then changed the car over for Gimmi and continued with the set-up programme. 

He also worked on tyre evaluation and brake material testing. We’d particularly like to extend our thanks to Bridgestone, for making the test tyres available to us here in Monza.”     

Minardi Cosworth Testing Details

Location: Autodromo Nazionale di Monza; Date: September 1, 2004

Weather: cool and cloudy in the morning, becoming sunny and warmer in the afternoon

Air temperature: 20-27 deg C; Track temperature: 21-31 deg C

Driver(s): Bas Leinders (BEL) morning; Gianmaria Bruni (ITA) afternoon 

Chassis allocation: PS04B/01 

Laps completed: Leinders, 31/179.6 kms; Bruni, 34/197.0 kms

Fastest lap: Leinders, 1 min 24.41 secs; Bruni, 1 min 23.39 secs