Midland continue to ‘explore’ at Valencia test

By Huw Alban
February 14 2006

Tiago Monteiro continued where he left off in the M16 today, putting in a total of 82 laps in the first of a four day test at Valencia. Giorgio Mondini and Markus Winkelhock also got a run today, albeit in the EJ15B.

When I saw the times from today’s test I have to admit that I was disappointed to see that Midland and Tiago were at the bottom of the times. I know that we’ve been told that the team have found a solution to the performance problems, but I was really, really hoping to see a small improvement today.

Added to my worries this evening are the times from Bahrain. Scuderia Toro Rosso were only 1.5 seconds behind Ferrari today ! Unless Midland find some performance soon those dreams of points finishes are going to evaporate pretty fast.

To sooth my troubled brow, the team have admitted in their Valencia test press release that progress had been made, and that the set-up, tyre, and control system exploration work would continue tomorrow.

Tiago Monteiro (almost as if in answer to my worried state of mind) also sounded pleased with the progress made today. “We worked through a number of different set ups, improving the balance throughout the day, and I am pleased with the tyre testing we completed,” he has been quoted as saying in the team press release. “The car's handling is improving all the time and we are learning a lot. I'm pleased with the progress we have been making with the new car since we began testing last week.”

Christijan Albers continues in the M16 tomorrow.

Markus Winklehock also got the chance to strut his stuff today and by all accounts had a good day. “The car felt really good and I gained more experience after the test in Jerez in December,” he said afterwards. “I feel more and more confident in the car and it was nice to get experience with the V8 engine. The circuit has a lot of slow corners for a Formula One car, although I tend to prefer the fast corners. I had a really good day and enjoyed being with the team again.”

Giorgio Mondini ran a limited number of laps for the team in preparation for his full days work tomorrow. His familiarisation to the team and it’s equipment did not go quite as planned as pictures have appeared on other internet news sources of his EJ15B being rescued from the gravel trap.

Full list of times from Valencia today:

1. M. Webber Williams FW28 1'10''601 94 laps
2. C. Klien Red Bull RB2 1'11''254 +0''653 100 laps
3. P. de La Rosa McLaren MP4-21 1'11''619 +1''018 102 laps
4. J. Montoya McLaren MP4-21 1'11''701 +1''100 48 laps
5. R. Doornbos Red Bull RB2 1'12''448 +1''847 103 laps
6. A. Wurz Williams FW28 1'12''657 +2''056 48 laps
7. T. Monteiro MF1 Racing M16 1'12''924 +2''323 82 laps
8. M. Winkelhock MF1 Racing EJ15B 1'14''299 +3''698 77 laps
9. G. Mondini MF1 Racing EJ15B 1'24''110 13''509 16 laps