Date: Tuesday 13th December 2005
Location Circuito de Jerez, Spain
Drivers: Pedro de la Rosa and Gary Paffett
Weather: Sunny and cold
Track temperature high of 26 degrees Celsius
Air temperature high of 17 degrees Celsius
Laps run: 152
Kilometres covered: Pedro de la Rosa approx. 370km
Gary Paffett approx. 290km
Best lap time of the day:
Best Team McLaren Mercedes lap time of the day: Felipe Massa, Ferrari, 1m19.068
Gary Paffett, 1m20.224
Duration of test: Three days (13th 15th December)
Pedro de la Rosa and Gary Paffett were behind the wheel of two MP4-20Bs, both with the Mercedes-Benz V8 engine, as Team McLaren Mercedes started its final test session of 2005 today in Spain.
Due to the cold ambient and track temperatures at the Circuito de Jerez, both drivers remained in their garages during the early part of the morning session, and started their test programme shortly after 10:30, as the temperatures slowly rose to double figures. However, just after 09:00 both Pedro and Gary completed their installation laps, and because of the cold conditions Gary spun, his car remained on the tarmac and was undamaged.
The planned programme of engine and Michelin tyre evaluation and development continued, with Gary setting the third fastest time of the day with a 1m20.224. Pedro was fourth on the timesheets having driven a 1m20.317. Both drivers covered 152 laps and 660km in total today.
Juan Pablo will return to the cockpit tomorrow alongside Pedro, with both drivers continuing to test on Thursday.
Unofficial times*:
Pos Driver Constructor Time Laps
1 Felipe Massa Scuderia Ferrari V10 1m19.068 92
2 Ricardo Zonta Toyota V8 1m20.070 93
3 Gary Paffett Team McLaren Mercedes V8 1m20.224 67
4 Pedro de la Rosa Team McLaren Mercedes V8 1m20.317 85
5 Nick Heidfeld Williams F1 V8 1m20.788 86
6 Franck Perera Toyota V8 1m21.336 61
*no official times available
- Ellen Kolby- Wolfgang Schattling -
