By Huw Alban
May 18 2002

It is true to say that, since the OrangeArrows team have started to work on developing their A23 chassis, the performance of the car has improved dramatically. Frentzen should have finished in the points last week in Austria, but the team have been plodding on and are confident about Monaco. Heinz-Harald Frentzen tested for the team for two days last week, at the Paul Ricard circuit in France. The team’s present for the test were using a shortened circuit, which simulates some of the track conditions found at the Monte Carlo race.

On the last day, the German driver completed well over a race distance and posted the fastest lap time of the day. According to news sources, the team used the two days to examine rear suspension solutions, work on car balance (a major problem in qualifying trim), do some software work on the Cosworth engine, and some tyre evaluation. The test car ran reliably, which is of great benefit as it allows the team’s development program to progress without interruption.

“We’ve had a very good two days of testing here,” Technical Director, Mike Coughlan, has been quoted as saying after the test completed on Friday.

“We completed a lot of laps and the car has been very reliable, which is always pleasing. We’ve mainly been focusing on set up work - testing out some rear suspension set-ups to get the car’s balance right - as well as tyre tests for Monaco. We were also able to carry out some software developments. All in all, I think we’ve had a very successful test and leave feeling quite confident for Monaco.”

According to the team Enrique Bernoldi also did some test work last week, doing aerodynamic runs at a secret UK location.