Jerez Test: Four Day Round Up

By Phil Huff
September 21 2008

After four days of testing, the Honda Racing F1 team finished in Jerez with the sixth fastest time of the week, set by Alex Wurz. The teams Young Driver, Mike Conway, was also present, but problems early on cut his testing down to just a few laps, and he props up the timesheets.

Conway started the test in the KERS development car, before Wurz took over the following day. Wurz drove the RA108, running aerodynamic developments and set up evaluations for the rest of the season. He continued the aero running on day three, but a rain shower meant a change in the afternoon to a Bridgestone wet weather tyre evaluation. The final day saw Wurz step in to the KERS development car.

Alex Wurz

Test and Reserve Driver

Honda Racing F1

"It was good to spend three days in the car this week and we were able to achieve a great deal of beneficial work. For the first two days in the RA108, we concentrated on aerodynamic and set-up evaluations, and the car performed quite well on the new track surface in Jerez. Today we ran our KERS system which was a very interesting and promising experience. Every time that we run with KERS, we learn more and start to fully understand its possibilities. It's such an interesting challenge and one that we look forward to developing further over the next few tests."

Ross Brawn

Team Principal

Honda Racing F1

"We have had a good test this week achieving some positive results which will assist our efforts both this season and looking ahead to 2009. Along with aerodynamic and set-up work with the RA108, we completed an engine settings evaluation which should have benefits for the remaining four races.

"The test was also a critical stage in our development of KERS. Although installed in a ‘mule’ car, the KERS system was fully functioning and very close to 2009 specification. Alex was able to give an invaluable input into the track behaviour of our KERS system and highlight several areas we need to focus on. A very valuable test and I am extremely pleased with the performance and the progress we have made with the system."