Sepang testing starts

Sutton Images photo via Super Aguri, no reuse for any reason.
MALAYSIA TEST - 27th MARCH 2007
Date: 27th March 2007
Location: Sepang
Track Length: 5.543km
Weather:
Track temperature: 64.4° Celsius
Air temperature: 38.9° Celsius
Laps run today: 60

McLaren report Vodafone McLaren Mercedes arrived in Malaysia this week for the first test at the Sepang circuit, with an intense programme to complete over the three day session. Work for the team focused on general performance uplift, with a number of new components incorporated into the MP4-22, alongside Bridgestone Potenza tyre evaluation for next week’s race.

BMW report: The team's general programme for the three days of testing in Sepang includes set-up work for the forthcoming Grand Prix, evaluation of the two tyre specifications and some new aero parts. Fine tuning of electronic systems and also checking the cooling systems under extreme heat conditions will also be done. According to the new regulations, the teams can only run one car at the same time.

With Robert covering more laps than anybody else today, the team enjoyed a very productive test day and completed a substantial part of the programme.

What comes next: Tomorrow, Robert will continue to drive before Nick Heidfeld will take over on Thursday. Robert's programme for tomorrow is mainly aero set-up work and more work on the tyres for the race.

Renault report:The ING Renault F1 Team’s on-track development programme resumed today in the sweltering heat and humidity of Sepang, Malaysia. The first test session since the opening round of the 2007 season will see each team running with just one car, in line with the new testing agreement for this season.

As always, the team approaches the three days with a busy programme to work through – and began its work with Nelson Piquet Jr. at the wheel. His planned focus was to be a set-up programme, but a mechanical problem with the R27 disrupted his running and left the car in the garage for a large part of the day.

The Brazilian therefore completed fewer laps than expected, but the problems will not impact on the coming two days’ work – as Chief Test Engineer Christian Silk explained: “Unfortunately, Nelson wasn’t able to do many laps today after we hit problems. However, we got a good baseline set-up for the car, and the balance is now good enough to continue our programme straight away tomorrow with Heikki.”

Heikki Kovalainen will take over driving duties tomorrow, in preparation for the Malaysian Grand Prix, round two of the 2007 championship, in ten days’ time.

Duration of test: Three days (Tuesday 27th – Thursday 29th March)

Driver
Constructor Time Laps
Robert Kubica BMW Sauber 1m36.187 92
Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari 1m36.302 55
Alex Wurz WilliamsF1 1m36.334 90
Rubens Barrichello Honda Racing 1m36.826 83
Pedro de la Rosa Vodafone McLaren Mercedes 1m37.106 60
Franck Montagny Toyota 1m37.267 74
Takuma Sato Super Aguri 1m37.389 72
David Coulthard Red Bull Racing 1m37.609 84
Nelson Piquet Jr Renault 1m38.199 33
Scott Speed Toro Rosso 1m38.503 69