29.01.2004 MICHAEL SCHUMACHER WRAPS UP VALENCIA TEST AS FERRARI PREPARE NEW F2004 FOR TRACK DEBUT TOMORROW
Today was the third and final day of testing this week for the Ferrari team at the 4km long Valencia circuit. Once again Michael Schumacher was the sole Ferrari driver taking part, with two development F2003-GA at his disposal. The German was joined at the Spanish track for the test's final day by Williams, Toyota, BAR, Renault, Sauber, Jaguar and Minardi.
The technical programme for the
day, which was dry and sunny, again centred on a continuation of development
work with tyres, electronics and set up that had been in progress for the last
two days.
Schumacher completed a total of 93 laps during the course the day with air
temperatures remaining a mild 17ºC. His quickest lap, a 1:09.397, left him
second fastest behind Williams-BMW test driver Antonio Pizzonia, who went
quickest after recording a 1:09.161.
Ferrari will resume testing tomorrow at their private Fiorano facility. Regular tester Luca Badoer will use an F2003-GA but all eyes will be on Michael Schumacher who will take the brand new F2004 onto the track for the first time since it was unveiled on Monday.
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MINARDI VALENCIA TEST DAY THREE
Zsolt Baumgartner, “Today, I was able to run 105 laps, which was good because it meant I could recover the time lost yesterday. I’m very happy, because after a busy day of work, I don’t feel particularly tired. Strangely, the only problem I experienced was in my driving position. Yesterday, I felt I was comfortable in the Minardi PS03, while today, when I spent much more time in the cockpit, I realised I was not quite so much at ease and that I need to adjust my seating position. Considering I have not driven an F1 car for almost five months, though, I think I did quite a good job, and I believe the team is satisfied with the feedback I provided to my race engineer.”
Andy Tilley, Senior Engineer, “Compared with the disappointment of yesterday afternoon, when Zsolt didn’t get any real running, everything has gone well today. Other than a small spin this morning, he has had an untroubled day and worked through the entire planned program, which is reflected in the number of laps covered."We were happy to conduct a small tyre testing program for Bridgestone today, and it’s also worth noting that our engine program with Cosworth has gone extremely smoothly. there have been no problems and no unplanned engine changes. Overall, it has been a successful, productive test. We made good progress finalising the specification of the 2004 car, and Zsolt has had an opportunity to settle in. It’s good to have him in the team.”
Paul Stoddart, Team Principal, “European Minardi has every reason to feel pleased with its first test session of 2004. Collectively, the team has got through a lot of work and collected a considerable amount of useful data, all of which will help with finalising our 2004 car. Both Gimmi Bruni and Zsolt settled in quickly and have done a really solid job. I’d particularly like to thank Zsolt for his efforts, as he was in a car he hadn’t driven before, at an unfamiliar circuit, and with a new team, and yet he settled in quickly and did an extremely professional job. We now look forward to our next test, at Misano, in just over 10 days’ time.” |
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Valencia F1 Test 27-29.01.2004 Aggregate Fastest Times |
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