Ferrari test at Mugello and Fiorano
While most of the Formula One teams were carrying out testing before the Luxembourg GP at Magny Cours, the Scuderia-Ferrari team were busy testing at their two home circuits of Mugello and Fiorano. The team were running the two spare chassis from Monza for the test, both reverted back to short wheelbase configuration better suited to the characteristics of the Nurburgring circuit for the next race. Tyre testing played a major role in the three day test - Goodyear thought to have tested as many as 15 different types of tyre, some of which were in preparation for the final race of the season in Japan.
On tuesday in Mugello, Michael Schumacher ran 80 laps for a best of 1:27,749s and Eddie Irvine 56 laps with a 1:27,626s. On Wednesday, after setting a 1:26,586s Michael stopped testing after lunch when a gearbox problem saw his car returned to Maranello for repairs before further testing in Fiorano on Friday. Irvine did 107 laps on Wednesday with a best of 1:27,553s.
Rain delayed Irvine's progress on Thursday, but the weather was fine in Fiorano for Michael who continued to work on tyre testing for the Nurburgring which has a similar track surface to Fiorano, while aerodynamic and a new clutch system. After a spin, his car then had an engine problem which required a fresh V10 to be fitted , Michael then continuing with some practice starts to check out a new clutch actuating system designed to make its operation more progressive and predictable.
Irvine continued to test at Mugello setting a 1:29,139s after some 69 laps when the track had dried out, while Schumacher ran a total of 46 laps in Fiorano, continuing both tyre and aerodynamic testing on Friday at Fiorano. "We have worked on aerodynamics, set-up, tyres and something else," said Schumacher not wanting to show his hand before the final vital two races of the season.
In all, Ferrari have run some 32,000 kilometers of testing with the F300 throughout the season.
McLaren run in Magny Cours
The McLaren team were testing in Magny Cours throughout the week, David Coulthard and Ricardo Zonta beginning on Wednesday with Mika Hakkinen running alone on Friday. The team were testing tyres and engine development in the wake of Coulthard's engine failure and Hakkinen's brake problems in Monza. Coulthard drove 86 laps on Wednesday with the day's best of 1:17,08s and Zonta 42 laps with a time of 1:18,34s.
On Thursday, Zonta improved to 1:16,26s to set the best time of the day with Coulthard second quickest at 1:16,74. On Friday Hakkinen ran a best of 1:17,14s.
Williams run test drivers in Magny Cours.
The Williams team ran a three day test programme in Magny Cours starting on Wednesday with test drivers Max Wilson and Juan Pablo Montoya doing the test driving in preparation for the Luxembourg GP track which has similar aerodynamic characteristics to the Magny Cours circuit. Jacques Villeneuve and Heinz-Harald Frentzen, who will both be leaving the team at the end of the season were not asked to take part in the test.
On Wednesday, Montoya set the second fastest time of the day of 1:17,619s running 64 laps, while Wilson ran only 34 laps with a best of 1:18,654s. On Thursday the team continued tyre testing and development work with Montoya running another 69 laps for a best of 1:16,86s and Wilson 81 laps and a best of 1:17,81s. Both drivers continued testing on Friday, Montoya fastest on the day with a 1:16,96s and Wilson 1:17,95s, both a bit slower than their previous day's best.
"It is important for us to continue developing the FW20 in order for us to retain our third position in the Constructors' Championship, but at the same time we are working on longer term development items for the FW21," said Senior Operations Engineer, James Robinson.
Benetton work on Tyres test programme
The Benetton team began work primarily on a Bridgestone tyre test programme on Wednesday at Magny Cours, both Wurz and Fisichella running two cars. Wurz recorded a 1:18,438s after 48 laps , while Fisichella managed only 12 laps with a best of 1:19,139 secs, slowest of the day. On Thursday, Fisichella improved to 1m 17,69s during 40 laps with Wurz on 1:18,12s covering 32 laps. Both drivers were slowest on Friday at 1:18,2s each.
De la Rosa and Hill test for Jordan
Test driver Pedro de la Rosa opened the Jordan test programme in Magny Cours on Wednesday where the track was wet for most of the day. He ran a total of 51 laps trying back-to-back tests against the standard and the revised bodywork used in Monza and was also trying different tyres. His best time was a 1:18,12s on the first day.
On Thursday, Hill's 38th Birthday, the ex-World Champion ran 56 laps with a best of 1:17,75s before stopping early with an undisclosed technical problem. The team continued to evaluate suspension and aerodynamic components, but did not have the time to complete the back-to-back tyre programme until Friday when Hill set a best of 1:17,35s.
Muller shares Sauber with Alesi
Jorg Muller began the testing programme for Sauber on Tuesday in Magny Cours. Of the five cars running the first day, he was fastest with a best of 1:17,31s after 70 laps. On Wednesday, despite the interruptions due to rain, he set 38 laps and a 1:18,12s best to equal de la Rosa's best. The German driver concentrated on tyre development and chassis set-up for the Nurburgring and tested new components for the cooling system. On Thursday Jean Alesi took over running a best of 1m 17,55s after 66 laps , but was slightly slower on Friday for the final day of the test.
Promising debut for Sarazin
F3000 driver Stephane Sarazin made an impressive F1 debut during testing with the Prost team at Magny Cours , the young Frenchman running Tuesday and Wednesday in mixed conditions. He ran 50 laps the first day of which 21 were on a wet track , setting a best of 1:19,93s. He improved to 1:18,78s on Wednesday, again in mixed weather conditions and another 50 laps of running.
His feed back and technical skills impressed Alain Prost who said, "The team has given Stephane to opportunity to drive 450 kms in an F1 car and he has shown how to take advantage of it very quickly. With the working method that he showed , we think that it is possible to set up a test programme with him in the near future."
Trulli ran the last three days of the four day test and Panis the last two , the team concentrating on tyre development, aerodynamic set-ups, revised front suspension and engine development work for Peugeot, their best times being a 1:17,39s for Trulli on Friday and 1:17,56s for Panis the same day.
No testing for Arrows
The Arrows team did not test last week, but planned a brief shakedown test of the cars at Santa Pod raceway on Monday before shipping them to Germany. It is not yet sure which driver will drive the cars on Monday. The team hope to run the latest D-spec V10 engines in qualifying at the Nurburgring.
Stewart also stays at home
The Stewart team also chose not to test last week as they preferred to concentrate on their 1999 car. Control systems for next year's car were due to be tried at Santa Pod on Saturday (19th). The system developed in conjunction with Visteon has already undergone static tests at the Stewart factory. Barrichello will be using a new chassis (No 5) for the next race.
Minardi back at base
The Minardi team is also concentrating on its 1999 car. The chassis mock-up has been completed and the team have also received a mock-up of the current Ford V10 engine for installation purposes in the new car.