Massa fastest on first day of Monza test
Felipe Massa kicked off this week's major Formula One test at a partly resurfaced Monza in Italy in fine style with the quickest time on the opening day on Tuesday
Although there was minor confusion between the teams about the lap times of several drivers as the test kicked off - probably as a result of the location on the start-finish straight of their timing beams - everyone's data pointed towards Massa being the quickest.
Returning to the cockpit for the first time since his victory in Turkey last weekend, Massa dominated proceedings on Ferrari's home turf. Along with test driver Luca Badoer, the team's programme was focused on low downforce set-up and tyres, with some aero configuration work.
The best times of the day came in the afternoon once the newly resurfaced part of the track, from the second Lesmo until after the Ascari Chicane, had rubbered in a bit.
Ferrari's title rivals Renault were led by Giancarlo Fisichella, who was second, third or fourth quickest - depending on whose timing screens you looked at.
Beginning Renault's intensive week of work with Michelin, as well as evaluating car developments introduced to try and overcome the loss of mass dampers, Fisichella could not quite match the pace of Massa.
Renault also suffered two mechanical failures - one each for Fisichella and test driver Heikki Kovalainen.
Mark Webber enjoyed a strong showing for Williams, evaluating Monza specification tyres, despite having a nervous moment when he suffered brake failure at one point.
The Australian's future replacement Alexander Wurz was further down the order, having spent the day focusing on tyre construction work for the races after Monza.
Honda were led by Anthony Davidson, who worked on general suspension and tyre work. James Rossiter focused on set-up and aero work for Monza.
Seventh fastest Jarno Trulli was working on Monza tyre work, while right behind him Sebastian Vettel continued to impress his BMW bosses as he joined teammate Nick Heidfeld in working on low downforce settings in the morning and tyres in the afternoon.
The most disappointed man of the day was Sakon Yamamoto, whose Super Aguri car only made it out of the pits late in the afternoon.
On his first lap, the Japanese driver suffered a slow puncture, which is believed to have been caused by a loose screw finding its way between the wheel and tyre. He will be given another morning of running tomorrow.
Wednesday will also mark the debut of Honda's 2007 engine, which the Japanese manufacturer are aiming to race this year to take advantage of the end of season engine freeze.
Rubens Barrichello has been given the honour of trying it out for the first time and extra engineers have been drafted in by Honda for what will be viewed as a vital test for the team.
Today's times *:
Pos Driver Team Time Laps 1. Massa Ferrari (B) 1:22.376 73 2. Badoer Ferrari (B) 1:22.535 81 3. Webber Williams-Cosworth (B) 1:22.743 90 4. Fisichella Renault (M) 1:22.904 88 5. Davidson Honda (M) 1:23.187 97 6. Kovalainen Renault (M) 1:23.232 98 7. Trulli Toyota (B) 1:23.426 73 8. Vettel BMW-Sauber (M) 1:23.770 92 9. Rossiter Honda (M) 1:23.909 110 10. Panis Toyota (B) 1:24.038 68 11. Wurz Williams-Cosworth (B) 1:24.057 87 12. Heidfeld BMW-Sauber (M) 1:24.087 73 13. Jani Toro Rosso-Cosworth (M) 1:24.322 92 14. Mondini MF1-Toyota (B) 1:25.525 70
* The test session was run without central timing system and each team recorded the times with their own equipment. As a result, times may vary. The above times are courtesy the Williams team.
Be part of the Autosport community
Join the conversationShare Or Save This Story
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments