French F1 tyre supplier Michelin arranged a simulated wet test for Williams and Renault at Valencia on Monday. The aim is to “wipe out” the advantage competitors Bridgestone appeared to hold in rainy weather during last year’s championship.
French F1 tyre supplier Michelin arranged a simulated wet test for Williams and Renault at Valencia on Monday. The aim is to “wipe out” the advantage competitors Bridgestone appeared to hold in rainy weather running during last year’s championship.
Michelin officials artificially flooded the Spanish track every ten minutes, while the teams helped to evaluate two different compounds for use in the wet.
Colombian star Juan-Pablo Montoya, driving this year’s FW24, set a best lap of 1m 29,640s. In total he covered 38 laps, the most of any of the five drivers present at the test.
His team-mate, Ralf Schumacher, was second fastest, although the German was around half a second behind Montoya in the 2001-spec car.
Fernando Alonso had another test for Renault, and set the third best time.
Jarno Trulli drove Renault’s new R202, although the Italian managed just 12 laps. He’ll be hoping to conduct a more extensive programme on Tuesday, when Minardi, Jordan and Sauber are expected to join proceedings.
Meanwhile, Rubens Barrichello took up the driving duties for Ferrari at the Mugello circuit in Italy on Monday. According to , Barrichello worked on tyre evaluation and set-up, achieving a best time of 1m 23,257s. He’ll be joined at the track tomorrow by official test driver Luca Badoer as the team steps up its preparations ahead of the launch of the new car.
Valencia test, day 1 (unofficial)
Pos Driver Chassis-engine Tyres Time Laps
1 Juan Pablo Montoya Williams-BMW M 1m 29,640s 38
2 Ralf Schumacher Williams-BMW M 1m 30,172s 21
3 Fernando Alonso Renault M 1m 33,482s 33
4 Marc Gene Williams-BMW M 1m 35,166s 10
5 Jarno Trulli Renault M 1m 35,894 12