Grand Prix > 2006 Grand Prix > Tests > article
Grand Prix Tests
tests
Valencia Test Update: Day 1
01.02.2006
Dates: 1 February 2006
Location: Circuit Ricardo Tormo, Valencia, Spain
Track length:  4.000km
Drivers: Jarno Trulli, Ricardo Zonta

The sun was shining today at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia as Panasonic Toyota Racing's drivers Jarno Trulli and Ricardo Zonta started the fourth week of testing of 2006. Returning to work after a cold and wet Barcelona test, the drivers continued with work on tyres and set-ups, both particularly motivated to gain further results and insights into the development of the Bridgestone tyres. Jarno Trulli will keep testing at Valencia tomorrow alongside fellow race driver Ralf Schumacher.

ALL MILES
Toyota's Jarno Trulli had a successful day of running, putting in well over 100 laps of the twisty Valencia circuit.

Jarno Trulli - Chassis TF106/01
Best lap time: 1m12.143s
Total laps: 111
Total distance: 444.0km

"This has been an enjoyable day of running here at Valencia. The conditions were very difficult in the morning because the track started out damp and it was also very cold. It's always difficult to drive in such conditions but we were still able to do some set-up work and to do a tyre comparison. We kept going with set-up and tyre work throughout the day, putting in a lot of useful mileage in preparation for the new season."

BACK ON TRACK
Panasonic Toyota Racing's third driver Ricardo Zonta put in his first day of testing for three weeks, concentrating on work with set-up and tyre comparisons.

Ricardo Zonta - Chassis TF106/02
Best lap time: 1m12.385s
Total laps: 80
Total distance: 320.0km

"After a relatively long time out of the car, it was good to have another chance to drive the TF106 at Valencia today. It was the first time we have run here with the 2006 package, so it was a complicated day of work. It was a cold, damp start but we still put in some useful work on different types of tyre, along with set-up and electronics. We continued that work in the afternoon and the car stayed reliable so we were able to put in a lot of laps. But it was a difficult day because the track was slippery all day, even in the dry. Tomorrow should be easier because we now know what direction we need to take."

GREEN HARD
The overnight rain made the Valencia track slippery but Toyota nevertheless made good progress over the day's work at Valencia, putting in nearly 200 laps between the two drivers.

Dieter Gass - Chief Engineer Race and Test
"We had a productive day today and we got through a lot of work. We carried out some tyre testing for Bridgestone and we found some interesting new tyres, so that was positive. Apart from that we didn't have too many issues during the day and both cars ran reliably. But the overnight rain meant that the track was very green today so it was hard work for the drivers. We will continue with our programme here for the next two days."