Date: Monday 28th November 2005
Location- Circuit de Catalunya, Spain
Drivers: Alex Wurz and Gary Paffett
Weather: Sunny and cold
Track temperature 15.3 degrees Celsius
Air temperature 13.6 degrees Celsius
Laps run: 69
Kilometres covered:
Alex Wurz approx. 51 km
Gary Paffett approx. 268 km
Best lap time of the day: Gary Paffett, 1m20.588s
Duration of test: Four days (28th, 29th, 1st and 2nd)
Team McLaren Mercedes returned to the test track today at the Circuit de Catalunya in Spain, following the post-season break. Today's session marked the first of an intensive three week programme in the build-up to Christmas, and sees the development programme for the 2006 challenger, the MP4-21, return to the track following the last test in September in Jerez.
Alex Wurz was joined in Spain by Gary Paffett, who was testing with the team having been crowned 2005 DTM Champion. Both drivers were at the wheel of interim MP4-20Bs, which were running on Mercedes-Benz new V8 engine, the FO108S.
Alex was the second fastest driver of the day with a time of 1m20.664s, while Gary was fastest with a best lap time of 1m20.588s. Alex's running was affected initially by some transmission problems, further compounded by hydraulics systems issues, which were resolved by the test team during the course of the day and he returned to the track for 11 laps in total. Nick Heidfeld, who was attending the test with BMW Sauber, was also running a V8 engine.
ALEX WURZ
"It was great to be back in action today at the Circuit de Catalunya, however my running was limited because of the small issues with the car, that the team fixed today. I am looking forward to be back behind the wheel tomorrow and will hopefully be able to put in more laps."
GARY PAFFETT
"I'm really happy to drive a Formula One car again after more than two years, and I particularly enjoy that I can test with Team McLaren Mercedes. I gained a lot of experience and enjoyed driving very much. For me, cornering speeds and braking were most impressive. However, the difference between the DTM and the Formula One car is not as big as it was between the Formula 3 and the Formula One car three years ago. Co-operating with the technicians I benefited a lot from my experience in the DTM. I'm already looking forward to continue testing tomorrow."
Unofficial times:
1Gary PaffettTeam McLaren Mercedes1m20.588s58
2Alex WurzTeam McLaren Mercedes 1m20.664s 11
3 Nick Heidfeld BMW Sauber 1m21.356s 30
Alex and Gary will continue at the circuit tomorrow, with Juan Pablo Montoya and Pedro de la Rosa taking over for Thursday and Friday.
- DaimlerChrysler -
