Heidfeld and Coulthard test for McLaren
With Mika Hakkinen taking a mid-season holiday for a few days, it was F3000 driver Nick Heidfeld who joined David Coulthard for a three day test in Silverstone. Coulthard concentrated on tyre testing on Wednesday in preparation for the Hungarian GP. He covered 64 laps with a best of 1:27.08 secs without any significant problems . Heidfeld ran just 20 laps with a best of 1:28.88. On Thursday Coulthard improved to 1:26.66s after 43 laps , Heidfeld running 52 laps with a best of 1:27.62 secs.
Jordan tried new spec engine, aerodynamics and start system
The Jordan team were also in Silverstone with Heinz Harald Frentzen running Tuesday and Wednesday and Damon Hill Wednesday and Thursday. Frentzen tried a new spec engine due to be used for qualifying and the race in Spa. He ran 76 laps without any problems with a best time of 1:27.86. He also tried a new anti-stall system designed to help reduce the amount of wheel-spin during race starts which he suffered in Hockenheim.
Hill carried out back-to-back tests between the long and short wheelbase version of the Jordan as well as working on front suspension and mechanical set-ups. He completed 48 laps on Wednesday for a best of 1:28.11 despite a couple of harmless spins. On Thursday he worked on brake set-ups following his problems in Hockenheim. He also worked on tyre testing and aerodynamic modes including a high downforce centre mounted wing. He ran 63 laps with a best of 1:28.28.
Williams run at Silverstone
After cancelling plans to run at Jerez because of no tyre support, Ralf Schumacher and Alex Zanardi ran a two day test at Silverstone in preparation for Hungary. The team tried further high downforce aerodynamic developments, trying new sidepods with revised air outlets similar to those used by Ferrari and McLaren.
On Wednesday Ralf Schumacher ran 37 laps with a best of 1:28.24, 0.34 of a second faster than Zanardi who ran 42 laps also working on brake set-ups. Schumacher also tested a revised rear suspension.
On Thursday the German ran 36 laps for a best of 1:27.71, Zanardi running 43 laps with a best of 1:28.28. James Robinson , senior operations engineer explained that the aerodynamic modifications to the sidepods were designed to cope with the expected high track temperatures in Hungary.
Burti joins Stewart at Silverstone
Luciano Burti joined the Stewart team on Tuesday and Wednesday in Silverstone, Rubens Barrichello running Wednesday and Thursday with Johnny Herbert also running on Thursday. The team concentrated on suspension set-ups for the Hungarian GP as well as engine development for Ford which Burti carried out.
After 15 laps on Tuesday with a best of 1:28.96, Burti continued on Wednesday with a full race distance with the latest Series 4 Ford CR-1 V10 engine. The team considered the day successful after the Brazilian completed 85 laps with a best of 1:27.72, second fastest time of the day to Coulthard. Barrichello concentrated on setting up his car and recorded best of 1:27.99 secs after 38 laps. On Thursday he ran only 25 laps but recorded the fastest time of the day at 1:26.50 using the Series 3 engine. The Brazilian had to interrupt his testing with a precautionary engine change due to an oil system problem, the same thing forcing Herbert to stop after just 15 laps and a best time of 1:28.31.
Benetton and BAR at Lurcy-Levis
The Benetton and BAR teams passed up the chance to test at Silverstone in order to undergo aerodynamic testing at the French Lurcy-Levis circuit. Laurent Redon was driving all week for the Benetton team while Patrick Lemarie was handling the BAR up and down the long Lurcy straight.
Sauber in Mugello
The Sauber team tested for three days in Mugello in preparation for Hungary, Diniz driving the first day working on a high-downforce configuration . "After aerodynamic problems at Hockenheim , we have leaned a little more about the function of our wings," pointed out Diniz.
Alesi took over on Wednesday when he lost time with another jammed rear wheel nut. After 59 laps he set a best time of 1:30.73s, the team also trying a new radiator layout in anticipation of hot weather in Hungary. On Thursday Alesi set a best of 1:30.17 secs.
Prost also in Mugello
The Prost team also ran in Mugello after Hockenheim, Panis driving on Tuesday with Trulli Wednesday and Thursday. Panis tested aerodynamic set-ups for Spa and Trulli for Mugello on Thursday. He did not run as much as he had hoped on Wednesday because of an engine problem in the morning.
Arrows stay at home
The only running the Arrows team did this week was a shakedown test at Santa Pod on Saturday where Tora Takagi ran the three cars to be shipped to Hungary.
Ferrari Prepares at Private Track
Mika Salo continued testing at Fiorano on Tuesday and Wednesday, Salo getting more comfortable with the Ferrari after running 178 laps with a best of 1:2.272. "It was a good opportunity to get more familiar with the car and try different fine tuning set-ups which there is no time for on race weekends, " said Salo.
Eddie Irvine took over the testing duties on Thursday and set a best of 1:01.326 - an improvement on Michael Schumacher's track record this year, of 1:01.518. Irvine was concentrating on general set-up work as well as brake testing. Irvine had a harmless spin before stopping because his engine had reached its mileage limit. For the upcoming Hungarian GP, Ferrari will be using a revised version of the high-downforce aerodynamic package used at the similar track of Monaco.
Minardi test with Ferrari
The Minardi team were invited to test alongside Ferrari at Fiorano on Tuesday and Wednesday where they tried a new high downforce configuration for Hungary. Luca Badoer was delighted with his best time of 1:02.727 - more than a second faster than his previous best with this car at Fiorano.