30.04.2004 MINARDI FEEL THEY HAVE MADE PROGRESS AFTER TESTING A NEW AERODYNAMIC AND BRAKING PACKAGE AT MUGELLO YESTERDAY
Wilux Minardi
Cosworth personnel were present at the
Mugello circuit yesterday to continue testing the latest aerodynamic package for
the team’s PS04B chassis.
The technical programme also included evaluation of
a revised braking system and a new damper specification.
Regular race driver,
Gianmaria Bruni, handled the driving
duties throughout the morning and afternoon sessions, covering a total of 74
laps during the day and recording a fastest lap of 1 min 23.910 secs.
GIANMARIA BRUNI
“It
has been a good test and I am happy with the general balance of the car. It
reflects in the fastest lap we did today, which was 1.5 seconds quicker than
the best time around Mugello for last year’s Minardi.
"The guys have done a
really good job, and the car is definitely better. We can now go to Spain
next weekend feeling positive.”
ANDY TILLEY, Senior Engineer
“We
have spent the day assessing some new aero parts and suspension components, as
well as carrying out some tyre testing work with Bridgestone.
"In addition, we
had a revised engine specification available from Cosworth, and it has run all
day with complete reliability. As a result, we are feeling very positive about
the new parts that will be introduced for the Spanish Grand Prix.”
JOHN WALTON, Sporting Director
“Due
to our poor performance last weekend at Imola, which was the result of a lack
of data as well as running time with the new aero package for the PS04B, we
concentrated primarily on those areas at Mugello today.
"We succeeded in
achieving a nice chassis balance, which proves the modifications are a step
forward, and the work done by the guys in the wind tunnel and at the factory,
as well as the contribution made by our partners, Cosworth and Bridgestone,
have led to a useful improvement in the whole package. There’s no doubt Gimmi’s
perceptive technical analysis has also helped to push things forward with the
car.
Location: Mugello, Italy; Weather:
Morningmist, turning sunny and clear later, with rain at the end of the day;
Air temperature: 10-24 deg C; Track temperature: 20-34 deg C; Driver:
Gianmaria Bruni (I); Chassis allocation: PS04B/04; Laps
completed: 74/388.1 kms;
Fastest lap: 1 min 23.910 secs