30/04/2004

Mugello Test Round-Up

Dates: 27-30 April 2004
Location: Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello Italy
Drivers: Cristiano da Matta (27-28) Olivier Panis (29-30) Ricardo Zonta (27-30)
Track Length: 5.245km

Olivier Panis
Total laps: 107
Best Lap Time: 1m20.113s
Chassis: TF104/06
"This was a good test even though we had reduced running time because of the rain on the last day. On Thursday I put in a lot of work to adjust the car for me as well as working on braking and going over kerbs. By the afternoon the track had changed a lot but we found a good set-up and the car was feeling better. We also had a successful test of tyre compounds for the Spanish Grand Prix at Barcelona on May 9. Although I had to stop for a precautionary engine change in the afternoon Ricardo covered the rest of the work we had planned."

Ricardo Zonta
Total laps: 360
Best Lap Time: 1m20.120s
Chassis: TF104/05
"I've had another long week of testing mileage at Mugello which is a physically demanding track. On the first day I put in over 100 laps completing a programme working on brakes and strategy. On Wednesday we were working on tyre comparisons for the Spanish Grand Prix although my day was interrupted by a hydraulic problem in the afternoon. On Thursday we concentrated on more long runs along with some traction control tuning and work on cooling systems. Overall it's been a busy week we've tried a lot of things and made a few small improvements to the car as we prepare for Barcelona."

Cristiano da Matta
Total laps: 178
Best Lap Time: 1m20.453s
Chassis: TF104/06
"Mugello is a track with a good mix of high speed and low speed corners so it makes for good preparation for a lot of different circuits. We spent the first day doing general set-up work for the season ahead. I struggled early on with understeer but after we sorted out that problem I put in some useful running. On Wednesday we worked on our Michelin tyres for the Spanish Grand Prix. We've been relatively strong in testing at Barcelona so hopefully the track will suit our car a little bit better than some of the other tracks so far this year. That means we can aim for a repeat of last year when I scored my first F1 points."