Renault dominate at Imola

By role
February 18 2004

The Renault F1 team is testing for the first time with two Renault R24 on the hands of Jarno Trulli and Fernando Alonso. Both drivers took the Imola track today together with the Sauber and Jordan team for a test session that will last until Thursday.

The Renault drivers completed 163 laps (804 kilometers) in total testing new parts and improving the set-ups for the upcoming Australian GP.

Fernando Alonso finished on top of the time sheets with a best time of 1.20.480 after 78 laps followed by his teammate Jarno Trulli who finished second best with a time of 1.20.736 after 85 laps.

Pat Symonds, Executive Director of Engineering, was quite pleased with the response of the R24:

"A pleasing first day at Imola: in spite of the slightly shorter running hours at this circuit, we have completed a total 800km today with the two cars and made good progress with our programme. We experienced no reliability problems, and both drivers are reporting the new car to be a good improvement over the kerbs relative to its predecessor. All in all, a very satisfying day of testing."

Both Sauber and Jordan were testing at the Italian track. Massa finished more than 1 second behind the Renault of Jarno Trulli with a best time of 1.22.001 after 69 laps. His teammate, Giancarlo Fisichella, finished just behind with a time of 1.22.302.

Jordan cars were at the bottom of the timesheets tocday once again with Nick Heidfeld posting a best of 1.22.419, almost two seconds slower than Alonso; and newly signed Pantano finishing last with a best time of 1.24.265, both drivers completing a total of 61 laps each.

Jarno Trulli ran yesterday the Merlbourne specification engine encountering no problems.