Team talk: Day three at the first test

McLaren

 

Motor Racing - Formula One Testing - Test One - Day 3 - Barcelona, Spain

Jenson Button (11th, 1:26.919, 51 laps)
“We ran through our normal programme of checks and changes this morning before the hydraulic problem stopped us early this afternoon. It’s not so good to miss out on this afternoon’s running, but it’s testing. Hopefully we can learn from the issue and the team can get a good day’s testing with Fernando tomorrow.”

Eric Boullier, team principal
“This morning we focussed once again on system checks, which is our plan for all four days of the first test. That went very smoothly and we managed to complete a number of configuration and setting changes on the car between runs.

“Before lunch, we had actually completed our full morning programme, which was satisfying. After the break, as we were starting a longer, race simulation run, we had an unfortunate hydraulic leak, which created a small fire in the back of the car. There’s no damage, just some checks and repairs needed. This is why we are testing: to check our systems, so we are investigating the issue now and we hope to be back to our pre-planned programme tomorrow morning.”

Satoshi Nakamura, Honda R&D chief engineer
"This morning's testing had been an extension of yesterday's running programme: confirming different engine modes and energy management status of the power unit.

“Early on in the afternoon session, the car experienced a hydraulic leak so we were unable to do further laps on track. The issue is still under investigation, but we will analyse the 51 laps of data that we were able to perform today and prepare for tomorrow's running."