Grand Prix of Germany -
Free Practice Round-Up
Friday 23 July 2004
Cristiano
da Matta (Car 16, Chassis TF104/10B)
First Session Classification: 12th, 21 laps completed Lap Time: 1m17.111s
(+1.355s)
Second Session Classification: 18th, 26 laps completed Lap Time: 1m17.300s
(+2.299s)
"We opted to do our tyre comparison work in the first of today's
practice sessions, before turning our attention to setting up the new TF104B
car. As a result of this, we did not do any runs on new tyres in the second
session, so the times are unrepresentative. Most of the updated aerodynamic
parts have only been run for the first time today, so it is difficult to
gauge our real performance. As the weekend progresses, we will obtain a much
clearer indication of where we stand, but there is still a lot to be done
tomorrow morning."
Olivier
Panis (Car 17, Chassis TF104/09B)
First Session Classification: 6th, 20 laps completed Lap Time: 1m16.484s
(+0.728s)
Second Session Classification: 19th, 23 laps completed Lap Time: 1m17.419s
(+2.418s)
"We had two difficult practice sessions today because it was the first
time the new TF104B car has run in its full configuration. We have had to
use today as more of a test session to work on the set-up and to try all the
new parts. It is hard to condense everything we have to do into just two
hours. Having said that, we have acquired a lot of data, which we have to
analyse overnight and work hard for a better day tomorrow."
Ricardo
Zonta (Car 38, Chassis TF104/06)
First Session Classification: 4th, 36 laps completed Lap Time: 1m16.340s
(+0.584s)
Second Session Classification: 10th, 38 laps completed Lap Time: 1m16.200s
(+1.199s)
"It was quite a good day with a lot of valuable laps completed. We
found a good balance on the car almost immediately and then we did a series
of long runs to evaluate the two different tyre compounds. In the end, we
found some encouraging results for the race. Although, I was driving the
standard TF104 today, the data we have obtained will still be useful for the
TF104Bs because the overall behaviour of the tyres is the same. With the
additional downforce on the new car, the performance of old tyres will be
more consistent, and the time benefit on new Michelins should be greater."
Mike Gascoyne - Technical Director Chassis: "With
both race drivers, we opted to do our tyre comparison in the first session,
which meant that we only ran on old tyres in the second practice. We should
not read too much into the time differences between the TF104 and TF104B. We
used the second hour effectively as a test session to improve the balance of
the car and to improve the new aero package. We made good progress. Ricardo,
meanwhile, carried out his normal programme of tyre evaluation in both
sessions so we have concentrated on ensuring we are in as good shape as
possible for tomorrow. That will be when we really see how competitive the
updated car is." |