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Toyota/Michelin test driver Ricardo Zonta set the quickest time on the
opening day of the Hungarian Grand Prix meeting at the Hungaroring, near
Budapest. The Brazilian lapped the 4.381-kilometre (2.989-mile) track in 1m
20.409s, 0.110s quicker than McLaren-Mercedes/Michelin counterpart Alexander
Wurz. The Austrian's team-mate Kimi Raikkonen was third overall and fastest
of the regular drivers, on 1m 21.281s.
Jarno Trulli (Toyota, fourth) was swiftest of the remaining Michelin
runners, ahead of Ralf Schumacher (Toyota, fifth), Juan Pablo Montoya
(McLaren-Mercedes, sixth), runaway world championship leader Fernando Alonso
(Renault, eighth), Jenson Button (BAR-Honda, ninth), Christian Klien (Red
Bull Racing, 10th), Giancarlo Fisichella (Renault, 11th) and Nick Heidfeld
(BMW WilliamsF1 Team, 12th).
Pierre Dupasquier, Michelin Motorsport Director:
"The track evolved significantly today in terms of lap times, but is in very
good condition. We were able to obtain useful, consistent information
throughout both sessions and completed an enormous number of laps with the
two types of tyre we have available.
"As yet, neither compound has a clear advantage over the other. The 'option'
was a little faster than the 'prime' over a single lap, but we need to
analyse wear-rate characteristics very carefully before drivers make their
final selection.
"Sunday's 70-lap race promises to be quite gruelling, but the high track
temperatures have caused no problems so far. This has been an extremely
productive day. Even if differing fuel loads can present a slightly
distorted image on a Friday, it is seems that Michelin's tyres are well
suited to the
conditions." |
