RAIN MAN

Panasonic Toyota Racing’s test team awoke to leaden skies, a spectacular thunder storm and torrential rain, which flooded the circuit and washed out the morning’s running at Monza. Teams completed installation laps more in hope than anticipation and meaningful testing was suspended until after a rescheduled early lunch break. Ralf Schumacher did manage 43 laps despite the conditions and he worked on the brakes, as well as aerodynamic set-up. The team has now taken the decision to utilise the extra day available due to the time lost, and continue with its test programme tomorrow. Ralf will once again be in the cockpit.

Ralf Schumacher - Chassis TF107/06
Best Lap Time: 1min 26.175s
Position: 9th
Total laps: 43
Total distance: 249.099kms

“The track was very green after all the morning rain, which certainly did not help. When the circuit dried out we had to prioritise some aerodynamic evaluation left over from yesterday, once the decision had been taken to extend the test. Tomorrow we will go back to concentrating more on mechanical set-up and hopefully have a fully productive day, weather permitting.”

Gerd Pfeiffer - Test Team Manager

“It was clear from first thing this morning that the weather was going to disrupt the programme and we took the decision to extend the test. When conditions improved after lunch Ralf did a baseline run and then concentrated on brake work and improving the aerodynamic balance.”