10.12.2003 MINARDI LAUNCH INTENSIVE THREE DAY TEST SESSION AT VALLELUNGA
European
Minardi Cosworth today launched into an intensive test session at the
Vallelunga circuit, in the hills outside of Rome.
At the conclusion of the three-day program, which involves
two European Minardi PS03 chassis, the team will have evaluated as many as
five promising young drivers and progressed through a busy technical schedule,
which includes engine, tyre and aerodynamic development work.
Today, it was the turn of Argentina’s Jose-Maria Lopez and Italian, Fabrizio
Del Monte, to handle the driving duties. The duo dealt with the cold, wet
conditions that predominated on the opening day of the test with considerable
maturity, each quickly getting to grips with Formula One levels of
performance.
They also spent time working with European Minardi technical staff on chassis
and aerodynamic set-up work, as well as differential and engine
mapping. Finland’s Heikki Kovalainen is scheduled to
drive for the Faenza squad tomorrow.
JOSE-MARIA LOPEZ
“I must confess that early this morning it was very cold and we found it hard working in such difficult conditions, even more because I had never run on a dump track in the rain before. All things considered, I think we did a good job. As the day went on, I became more confident, helped a lot by the engineers, who assisted me and helped me to improve the car. I’d like to thank all the staff at Minardi because they made me feel at ease, which allowed me to work in a good frame of mind and with the right level of concentration.”
FABRIZIO DEL MONTE
“To me, this was a wonderful day because I was able to drive a Formula One car
for the very first time. We were not helped by the weather, but towards the
end of the day, as soon as the track had begun to dry, I could better feel the
sense of braking with the carbon discs and realised how you feel when you
drive a car with an 800-horsepower engine. I think that everything turned out
well today, and I hope there is the opportunity to do some additional laps in
the car before this test is over.”
GIANCARLO MINARDI
“Today marked a good beginning for Fabrizio Del Monte.
He did some trouble-free laps and showed strong
potential. José Maria Lopez also did a very good job, and there is no doubt he
has a bright future ahead of him. Despite the bad weather conditions today,
the team is very pleased with the Vallelunga facility, which looks like
an excellent venue for Formula One testing, and in particular, for carrying
out chassis set-up work.”