WilliamsF1 completes three day Valencia test

The WilliamsF1 team completed a three day test in the lead up to the Australian Grand Prix. Both Narain Karthikeyan and Alex Wurz were used during the three days of testing. Narain was only used on the first day of testing, Alex on the last two.

The first day of testing would see Narain complete fifty seven laps with a best time of 1m:13.897. This would be the first time behind the wheel of the FW28 for quite some time for the Indian driver. His day was spent testing various aero and mechanical parts.

WilliamsF1 Test Team Manager Mike Condliffe commented on the first day of testing. He said: “Today Narain had his first run in the FW28 after several months out of an F1 car in dry, but windy, conditions. He carried out some initial aero tests as well as putting some additional mileage on revised mechanical parts as well as the engine in preparation for Melbourne. Tomorrow, Alex Wurz will take over testing duties”.

The final two days would see Alex Wurz complete well over two hundred laps. His time was spent focusing on tyre testing and system checks for Cosworth.

After the second day of testing WilliamsF1 Test Team Manager Mike Condliffe commented WilliamsF1 Test Team Manager Mike Condliffe commented: “On a gusty and cloudy, but dry day in Valencia today, Alex initially concentrated on tyre compound choices for Melbourne and then completed the session with some systems checks in conjunction with Cosworth. Alex will completed the test for the team tomorrow.”

The final day of the three day test would see Alex runing alone at the Valencia circuit. He would continue tyre testing as well as some testing of brake components.

The final day of testing would see WilliamsF1 Test Team Manager Mike Condliffe comment: “We had another very windy day in Valencia so making the final tyre choice for Melbourne was more difficult than normal. Alex had the track to himself though today and, despite the weather, worked through the scheduled tyre programme and then finished the test with some brake development work at the end of the session.”


Simon Corbyn, Head of F1 Race Engineering, Cosworth, commented on the three days of testing. He said: “The Cosworth CA2006 Series 3 test specification engine ran for three days in Valencia. Our objective was to accumulate track running on a number of new components as part of our on-going engine development programme. This engine also included a change specifically targeted at addressing Nico’s Malaysia race failure and this update has been implemented for Melbourne.”