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Spa Testing roundup
By SA07 July 15 2007
At a variable conditioned Spa Francorchamps in Belgium Super Aguri completed a rather positive 3 day test programme. The track itself sported a new track surface with provided more grip. Also the Bus Stop chicane has been revamped and now promotes more overtaking as you have to slow down for the revised section. The La Source hairpin has been moved to give drivers more space.

All Data including driver quotes is from Super Aguri F1

Day 1 

James Rossiter in car helmet view testing jerez

Driver Day 1: James Rossiter  
Chassis: SA07-05
No. of Laps: 65
Best Lap Time:
1:48.287
Position: 7th (out of 11 cars)
Weather: Damp start, followed by sunny but cloudy weather during the day
Temperatures: Air: 12-19°C, Track: 15-36°C

James Rossiter was at the wheel of the SA07 for day 1 of the Spa test. The morning consisted of running electronic system control tests  and in the afternoon he moved on to a general set up programme.

 James Rossiter testing report:

“On day one I worked on control systems evaluation in the morning and then concentrated on longer runs in the afternoon to see how the tyres were around the Spa circuit. The car balance felt good and we had no issues on day one. I think that the modification that has been made to La Source hairpin is good and the replacement for the Bus Stop chicane is a new challenge as it goes in a completely different direction. The camber changes are interesting too, so I am looking forward to seeing how these will affect the race when we return here in September.”

Day 2

 Super Aguri Anthony Davidson puts on helmet

Driver Day 2: Anthony Davidson
Chassis: SA07-05
No. of Laps: 56
Best Lap Time:
1:52.438
Position: 10th (out of 11 cars)
Weather: Cool with intermittent showers throughout the day
Temperatures: Air: 13-16°C, Track: 18-21°C

Over night rain from the Ardennes made sure testing got off to a delayed and soggy start the track managed to dry up by lunch time. Anthony Davidson was in the cockpit for day 2 sadly not much work could be done. Very little chasis work got done but the team did get a good amount of eletronic systems analysis done.

Anthony Davidson testing report:

“It was my first day driving round the new modified circuit at Spa and I was very impressed with what they’ve done. Unfortunately the weather was not great on the day I ran, but we have every chance of it being a wet race anyway, so we concentrated on finding good balance in the rain on both the extreme and wet tyres. The limited dry running I had meant that we were able to work on the electronics side even more and I was happy with the progress that we made.”

Day 3 the final day

Super Aguri Takuma Sato in team wear 

Driver Day 3:Takuma Sato
Chassis: SA07-05
No. of Laps: 99
Best Lap Time:
1:48.610
Position: 9th (out of 11 cars)

Weather:Damp to start, then dry
Temperatures:Air: 13-15°C, Track: 21-27°C

Takuma Sato took the reigns on day 3 and concentrated on achieving good circuit balance and testing how the Bridgestone Potenza tyres reacted to the refurbished circuit.

Takuma Sato testing report:

“It was a very interesting day. The weather was not consistent; this morning was only damp with light showers later, so we were able to complete a lot of dry running. We concentrated mainly on tyre work and aero analysis, but we also evaluated a new electronics system. There was a lot to do today and we collected a good amount of data. The modifications to the circuit are very well done. There is a new track surface giving it a bit more grip and there is a greater opportunity to overtake and race before the old Bus Stop chicane as you now have to slow down and brake heavily for the revised section. All of the changes seem to be quite safe, although the pitlane entrance is quite narrow. If they look at this before the Grand Prix I think that we will be in for a good race.”

Graham Taylor, Sporting Director testing report:

“It was good to test at this great circuit prior to racing here in September. All three SAF1 Team drivers were able to get some good mileage, but as usual the weather in Spa played a disruptive element in our plans. Having not tested before the Silverstone race it was imperative that SUPER AGURI F1 TEAM was able to run through rudimentary preparations for the Belgian Grand Prix.”

This was the first since 2005 Formula One had been to Belgium the next time we see Belgium will be on the 16th of September 2007 for the actual Grand Prix.

Spa testing davo classic spa shot side on Super Aguri Spa testing Davidson headon view Super Aguri Spa testing SA07 housing backdrop

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Re: Spa Testing roundup
Posted by: RA106 (IP Logged)
Date: 2007:07:15:20:13:29

sorry about the repeated thread this story was published during the sites downtime it must have messed up and created 2 posts ill delete it when i come back.

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