28.01.2004 MICHAEL SCHUMACHER BREAKS THE LAP RECORD AND LEADS THE WAY EARLY ON: DAY TWO AT VALENCIA

Michael SchumacherThe Formula One teams have moved on to Valencia for a three day test session which kicked off yesterday at the 4km long 'Ricardo Tormo' circuit.

Both Italian teams, Ferrari and Minardi, are taking part, joined at the Spanish track by Williams-BMW, Sauber-Petronas, Toyota, BAR-Honda, Renault and Jaguar-Cosworth. Yesterday the teams took to the track, with the weather sunny, a few clouds gathering in the afternoon, the temperature in the mid-teens but the conditions very windy.

The first day of testing this week for Scuderia Ferrari saw Michael Schumacher doing the driving, using the two F2003-GA chassis at his disposal.

The technical programme for the opening day centred on tyre testing, set-up work and electronics. Schumacher covered a total of 115 laps, the his quickest in a time of 1:10.392 just shaded overall by Marc Gene's Williams.

Today was dry and sunny, and again Michael Schumacher undertook the driving, using the development F2003-GA chassis which incorporate a number of parts that will appear on the new car which was launched on Monday. The technical programme continued tyre testing, set-up work and electronics. The German World Champion covered a total of 86 laps, blitzing the timesheets early, with his fastest lap of 1;09.432, breaking David Coulthard's lap record. However by the end of the day Williams' Juan Pablo Montoya had responded with a 1:09.306 and Schumacher was forced to settle for second place, just ahead of his brother Ralf who was at the wheel of a second Williams-BMW.

EUROPEAN MINARDI AT VALENCIA

European Minardi Cosworth yesterday opened its 2004 testing program. The team spent the day working through a busy program involving the assessment of hardware and software for the team’s 2004 car. New signing Gianmaria Bruni drove the single PS04-b chassis present in Spain.


“It has been a very useful opening day to this test." commented Senior Engineer Andy Tilley at the end of the opening day. "The team has concentrated on evaluating electronic systems, aerodynamic components and suspension parts for its 2004 car, using an interim chassis.  We also carried out some assessment work on engine parts for Cosworth. 

"Gianmaria drove throughout the day, completing 76 laps, and apart from a non-damaging spin early on, the program has gone exactly as planned.  Zsolt has also been here today, working with his engineers and taking a great interest in everything that is happening in preparation for his first run in the car.  We will carry on with our scheduled technical program tomorrow, and we also hope to carry out some tyre testing with Bridgestone.” 

 

“It’s pleasing to be back on the track again for the first time since our December test at Vallelunga", commented team boss Paul Stoddard yesterday. "The opening day of this week’s Valencia test has gone well with Gimmi putting in some solid laps and providing his usual excellent level of feedback. The engineers also report they have collected a useful amount of data in the course of the day. 

"Aside from the information gathered, which will help us finalise the specification of a number of components destined for the 2004 European Minardi, the test also provides Gimmi and Zsolt with the opportunity to start settling in with the team prior to the first Grand Prix of the season, in just over five weeks’ time.” 


Today Gianmaria Bruni again carried of the driving duties during the morning session, continuing with the evaluation program that commenced yesterday. Bruni then handed over to team mate, Zsolt Baumgartner, for the afternoon session, the 23-year-old Hungarian looking forward to his first experience of the Minardi.  Unfortunately, however, a gearbox problem, combined with a number of red-flag incidents on the circuit, meant he had very little time on track. The test program will continue tomorrow, with Baumgartner scheduled to be behind the wheel throughout the day. 

 

Engineer Andy Tilley, commenting on progress during the second day, "“We had a useful morning of testing with Gianmaria, but we were disappointed that Zsolt wasn’t able to get more time in the car this afternoon, as it was his first run in a European Minardi. We believe we’ve sorted the gearbox problem, however, and we look forward to a productive day tomorrow.”

 

Paul Stoddard on day two, “Testing is partly about sorting out as many potential technical difficulties as you can away from the highly pressurised environment of a Grand Prix weekend. It was unfortunate that Zsolt didn’t get any meaningful running this afternoon during his first time in a European Minardi, but at least we were able to get to grips with a gearbox problem. 

"Gimmi put in a good morning’s work prior to a scheduled engine change, and considering the number of red flags that also interrupted today’s sessions, we probably haven’t done too badly. We’ll aim to make up for the lost time tomorrow.”

 

GIANMARIA BRUNI
 

“I was pretty satisfied with the first day of testing here. The car was much better than in Vallelunga, and this means the guys have done an excellent job preparing the PS04 chassis.

  

“The car was even a little better this morning, and I was further able to improve my lap time compared with yesterday. We didn’t manage to complete every detail of the technical program, due to one or two small ‘glitches’, but on the positive side, we were able to test a number of new mechanical solutions, which I’m sure will be helpful for the development of the 2004 car.”

 

ZSOLT BAUMGARTNER
 

“I was not lucky today, as some technical problems prevented me from doing any proper running. It was unfortunate, because I was really looking forward to driving a Formula One car again after quite a long interval. What I can say about the Minardi, though, is that I’m feeling pretty comfortable in the cockpit. I hope we will have a better time tomorrow, and that there will be a chance to build up to some good lap times. I need to familiarise myself with the car and to get into the Formula One ‘rhythm’ again.”