|
Lucky Strike B.A.R Honda concluded a positive 3-day test in Estoril
today in preparation for next Sunday's Austrian Grand Prix. This was
the team's first proper test at the Portuguese circuit and Jacques
Villeneuve, Olivier Panis and test driver Anthony Davidson each
completed two days of running.
The main focus was general set-up work in readiness for the
demands of the A1-Ring, coupled with further engine development and
tyre work. Olivier and Anthony kicked off the programme on Tuesday,
Anthony spending the morning familiarising himself with a totally
new circuit. They completed 68 and 66 laps respectively, Olivier
setting the best time of the day with a new unofficial lap record of
1:17.567.
On Wednesday, Olivier completed 54 laps and topped his own
unofficial lap record time of 1.17.090. Jacques joined him on track
but completed only the morning session after experiencing an
electrical problem.
Anthony joined Jacques today for a final day's running. Heavy
rainfall gave the team and Bridgestone the opportunity to run some
wet weather tyre testing to prepare for any eventuality in the
unpredictable Styrian Alps. The changeable conditions were reflected
in the times, Jacques posting a best lap of 1:20.247 for the team
and completing 90 laps to Anthony's 53.
Olivier Panis commented: "I've had a positive test here in
Estoril and we have made set-up and electronic control improvements.
We will have a little more power from the engine in Austria which is
important because the A1-Ring is a power circuit. I think we have
good reason to be optimistic if we continue to make progress
throughout the weekend there."
Jacques Villeneuve said: "I lost a lot of track time on
Wednesday with an electrical problem but today was a better day.
Most of my running was in the wet but I put in a lot of laps and
we've made some improvements for Austria."
Looking ahead to the Austrian Grand Prix, the team expect to be
slightly better off than in Spain but admit there is still much work
to be done. Reliability is improving with every race so the main
priority will again be to get both drivers to the chequered flag,
taking advantage of every possible opportunity along the way.
|
