25/06/2004

Jerez Test Round-Up

Dates: 22-25 June 2004
Location: Circuito Permanente de Jerez Jerez de la Frontera Spain
Drivers: Ricardo Zonta (22-23) Cristiano da Matta (24-25) Ryan Briscoe (24-25)
Track Length: 4.428km

Ricardo Zonta
Total laps: 131
Best Lap Time: 1m18.766s
Chassis: TF104/02
"We spent the test working on a variety of developments both for the updated car which is due to be raced in Hockenheim and also some bits already for next year. On Tuesday we tried a new variety of suspension along with new electronics and some seemingly minor but important things like engine oil. On Wednesday the track had better grip and we did a tyre test. Unfortunately I had to stop early with a brake problem. We now head to Magny-Cours for next week's French Grand Prix a track where downforce makes a big difference."

Cristiano da Matta
Total laps: 222
Best Lap Time: 1m18.857s
Chassis: TF104/06
"It's been an extremely hot week of testing and the track even reached 56 degrees at one point. We don't find this kind of heat everywhere we go but it's good to test in extreme conditions because they bring different problems and they give us a chance to learn things for the future particularly on cooling tyre wear and degradation. Our main objective here was a tyre test aimed primarily at next week's French Grand Prix. It can be difficult to judge tyres at such high temperatures but we finished everything we had planned and we came up with a good solution. Hopefully it won't be quite as hot as this at Magny-Cours though. It's no problem when you're out on the track because the wind cools you down but it's hard when you're in the garage as the heat is unbearable so the guys did an outstanding job in tough conditions."

Ryan Briscoe
Total laps: 187
Best Lap Time: 1m18.899s
Chassis: TF104/02
"This test went very well and I put in lots of laps. On Thursday we worked on electronics and traction control. We also did a development tyre test working on hard tyres and looking for something that could be a little more consistent for testing. Friday was another positive day as we completed many more laps working on shock absorbers. It's been very hot and humid here so I've just tried to drink as much as I can to keep up my strength. Overall it has been a highly encouraging test for the whole team."