|
Hitech Tops The Times In Testing |
|
|
|
|
Thursday, 22 February 2007 |
British F3 team Hitech Racing posted the quickest time in official testing at the Pembrey circuit in Wales yesterday, Estonian Marko Asmer heading the 27 car field with a time of 49m274sec. His teenage team-mate F3 rookie Walter Grubmüller also shone in the two day test around the 1.456miles circuit, his quickest time of 50m659sec, just a second and a half off that of the experienced Asmer.
The Silverstone-based Hitech team in its fifth season in the Lloyds TSB Insurance British Formula 3 Championship also topped the times on day 1 of the test, until it had Asmer’s time disallowed due to an error over the choice of tyre.
Putting that disappointment behind them however, David Hayle’s team
bounced back in Wednesday’s full day’s test, to lead both sessions, the
afternoon session by nearly half a second.
David Hayle: “Marko and Walter drove extremely well during the two
days; it was just a case of settling back into the groove and taking
things easy. Despite the minor hiccup on day one, we just concentrated
on setting up the car for the new spec tyre and not pushing too hard.
Walter had a couple of spins but it was his first ever visit to Pembrey
and the conditions are very new to him.
“The two biggest frustrations were Walter not being able to use new
tyres yesterday and then Marko’s new tyre run being halted by another
red flag, but apart from that it was fine.”
Marko Asmer: “It was good to be back, I took things easy for most of
the day, I was going to push a bit yesterday afternoon on the new tyres
but then there was a red flag. I did 49.27 and it was easy to be in the
high 48’s but it’s only testing so no problem.”
Walter Grubmüller: “I was happy to drive the car again, it’s very
different to driving the Aussie car, there we have 40 degrees ambient
and 50 degrees track temperature. We also have Kumho’s and a five
year-old Renault engined car, so I was just trying to re-adjust.”
David Hayle: “I don’t want to dwell on day one, it’s not important. I
appreciate we have regulations and we must adhere to them strongly, one
of our guy’s made a genuine error in the early morning session with a
set of 06 tyres. Thankfully this was spotted in the pit lane and no
harm was done, this is why we have officials and provided they show the
same levels of consistency over the season, I have no problems
whatsoever, they’re just doing their job”.
“Marko set fastest lap after lap using new tyres, in both the morning
and the afternoon sessions, but overnight an official in FOTA decided
to take his times away, it’s absolutely bizarre, but the fact remains
Marko was untouchable during the entire test which was clear for all to
see.
“It looks like we’re in for an interesting season, we relish the
challenge, it’s what competition is all about. We will stay focused and
determined, winning isn’t easy, it’s hard work but that’s what we get
paid to do.”
The Hitech Dallara F307 Mercedes HWAs performed impeccably throughout
the two days and the team can now look forward to what it hopes will
see a return to the top step of the podium.
|
