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Wednesday, 14 May 2008 |
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Wednesday
14 May 2008
Location: Paul Ricard High Technology Test Track
Drivers:
Timo Glock
Track length: 3.593kms
MAY
THE FORCE BE WITH YOU
Panasonic Toyota Racing started a three-day
test programme in the south of France in preparation for the forthcoming Grands
Prix in Monte Carlo and Montreal.
Monaco and Canada place very different demands on car set-up, with the streets
of the Principality requiring good traction allied to a high-downforce
aerodynamic package. The variable circuit configurations at Paul Ricard mean
that teams can conduct meaningful testing for both venues. Today the emphasis
was on Monaco with Timo Glock at the wheel trying out different set-ups and
aerodynamic configurations, as well as getting to grips with the
Monaco-specification Bridgestone Potenza tyres.
Timo Glock- Chassis
TF108-04
Best Lap Time: 1min 06.936s
Position:
8th
Total laps: 93
"The morning session was reasonable and then in the
afternoon the track conditions improved quite a lot. It was a normal test day
making Monaco preparations with the only problem being some big changes we made
over the lunch break which took a bit longer than expected and cost us some
track time. It was the first time I have run the car in such high-downforce
configuration. I was quite happy with it but we still need to work a little to
improve the traction. Overall though, the car felt pretty good."
Gerd Pfeiffer, Test Team Manager
"It was
straightforward Monaco work trying to establish a baseline. We did some
comparison runs in different aerodynamic specifications, trying different wings.
There was also background work to be done with such things as launch systems
and, of course, running the softer specification Monaco tyres, which are quite
different from the hard and medium compounds which have been raced in Barcelona
and Istanbul. While you cannot simulate Monaco grip levels and wind direction,
you can prepare for the tight chicanes and hairpins you find there."
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