F1 testing: Back to work after Indy
F1 never sleeps. Just a few days after Ferrari's dominant one-two victory in Indianapolis, the Maranello-based outfit was back hard at work with Luca Badoer testing at Fiorano, concentrating all efforts in helping Michael Schumacher to win Ferrari's first world drivers' title in 21 years.
Schumacher, having a few days off after his win in Indianapolis, will be testing for Ferrari at Mugello on Thursday. But the Scuderia actually went back to work yesterday (Tuesday) at Fiorano, with test driver Luca Badoer behind the wheel. The Italian continued the test today, completing 141 laps, with a quickest time of 1m00.45s. Interestingly, the championship leaders were carrying out tyre tests on an artificially watered track.
Jordan, BAR and Jaguar were at a wet and windy Silverstone today (Wednesday) as they prepare for the Japanese Grand Prix in 10 days time. Very little progress was made as rain fell on the Northamptonshire track in the morning, but the cars were able to go out after lunch. The track was still damp, but Jarno Trulli in the Jordan managed to set the fastest time of 1m28.34s, completing 43 laps of the circuit. He was followed by Eddie Irvine in the Jaguar then BAR test drivers Darren Manning and Patrick Lemarie.
Both BAR and Jordan will be using new engines for the race at Suzuka, and BAR used this opportunity to test the engine, but Jordan will wait until Friday practice at the Japanese Grand Prix before running the new engine. This is the last test BAR and Jordan will participate in before December, as they will not be testing between the Japanese and Malaysian Grands Prix and there is a testing ban enforced during November.
J Trulli Jordan 1m28.34 43laps
E Irvine Jaguar 1m28.48s 49 laps
D Manning BAR 1m29.01s 13 laps
P Lemarie BAR 1m30.85s laps
WilliamsF1 headed to sunnier climes and began their three-day test at Estoril in Portugal yesterday. Jenson Button was behind the wheel and the Englishman appeared a little fazed after a hectic race weekend in the States.
"After the euphoria and intensity of the US Grand Prix, it's a little weird to be driving around a circuit with no other cars present," he said today after completing 77 laps, with a fastest time of 1m20.89s.
Ralf Schumacher will complete the test for the Grove-based team on Thursday.
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