More testing for Ferrari at Fiorano
Ferrari spent another week of testing, this time at their home Fiorano track where Luca Badoer began testing on Monday at the wheel of a short chassis F300. It is expected, although yet to be finalized, that the team will use the short chassis configuration at Suzuka.
On the first day it was initially wet before turning damp, Badoer completing 69 laps with a best time of 1m 10,725 secs. He was concentrating on testing new components and a modified software programme for better starting. On Tuesday he continued the programme in similar damp and wet conditions during which he completed 105 laps.
Irvine, who is still suffering from back ache, took over on Wednesday when he tried a modified seat and completed 53 laps with a best of 1m 2,850 secs. Michael Schumacher arrived on Thursday morning and drove in conditions which varied between rain and sunshine. He ran 40 laps with a best of 1m 1,888 secs. The next testing session will be on Monday 12th October at Fiorano with another three days programmed from Tuesday at Mugello. Both Irvine and Schumacher will take part in the test which will include a long engine development run.
Schumacher arrived at Fiorano from his fifth appearance at the FIA road safety campaign, this time in Warsaw. Two such appearances in Athens and Portugal remain on his schedule this year.
Prost test new development car
The Prost-Peugeot team were at Magny Cours since Tuesday testing its development car which is based on the AP01 chassis but fitted with a new Peugeot engine and new gearbox for next season's chassis. Oliveir Panis drove the car on Tuesday and Wednesday after which Jarno Trulli took over on Thursday and Friday. The track was wet for much of the time but both drivers reported that the car was much easier to drive and that the gearbox was a great improvement over this year's gearbox. "It was a very positive test and an encouraging sign for next year," said Alain Prost.
Williams stay at home
The Williams team stayed at its Grove headquarters last week preparing for a possible test at Magny Cours next week where test drivers Juan Pablo Montoya and Max Wilson are expected to run along with regular drivers Villeneuve and Frentzen in the FW20. The team also plans a Silverstone test on October 19th and 20th for a final pre-Japanese GP shakedown .
McLaren aims for Barcelona
The McLaren Mercedes team also remained at home last week. "The first time some of our engineers can remember being at the factory rather than at a test or race for some months," said a team member. Both Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard are expected to test at Barcelona on 14-16th of October followed by a brief run at Silverstone before Japan on 19th/20th.
No testing for Benetton
The Benetton Playlife team was another not to take part in any testing last week. The team will be at Barcelona for three days starting 14th October along with the McLaren team.
Jordan lines up silverstone
The Jordan team will not be going far from home before the Japanese Grand Prix. Although they did not test last week, they have two more test outings planned at Silverstone close to their factory. Schumacher and de la Rosa will drive on the 13th/14th October and Damon Hill will drive on the 19th/20th.
Stewart tests F3 drivers
Two days after taking part in the final round of the British F3 Championship, Paul Stewart drivers Mario Haberfeld and Luciano Burti returned to Silverstone's international circuit to continue the development programme for the series 6 version of the Ford Zetec-R V10 engine and components for the Stewart SF3 for 1999. Haberfeld, the new British F3 Champion, drove on Tuesday morning on wet tyres while Burti took over in the afternoon when improving weather conditions at least allowed him to try intermediate rubber.
No times were released by the team "as it was their first outing at the international circuit and our aim was to get mileage on the engine, the hydraulic differential and electronics as well as evaluating some rain tyres," explained a team member. Jos Verstappen is expected to test for the team at Silverstone on October 14th/15th.
Arrows stayed at home
The Arrows team did not test last week either. They have scheduled a shakedown with Mika Salo next week at Silverstone. There is no word yet of Pedro Diniz' replacement for the 1999 season.