Formula 1 News - January 2005
McLaren

28 January: MP4-20 Completes First Week's Test

Today was the last day of the week long test of 2005 challenger MP4-20 at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain. Following four days of exclusive testing for the team at the Spanish circuit Juan Pablo was joined on track today by Ferrari’s Michael Schumacher and Luca Badoer and Felipe Massa in the Sauber.

Juan Pablo completed a total of 72 laps throughout the day, with several long runs carried out, his fastest time of the day being 1m16.398s. Luca Badoer posted the fastest time at the end of the day in the Ferrari F2004.

“I have really enjoyed my second day of testing in the MP4-20,” commented Juan Pablo. “It was the same situation with the freezing track this morning, but once it warmed up we have been able to complete some long runs with a total of 72 laps so far today. Everything is going well and it has been a good first test, however until we get the car to Australia and start racing, there is no point in making any predictions. Next week we are testing in Valencia, with Kimi, Alex and Pedro, and the following week I will be back at the wheel of the MP4-20 in Jerez.”

“This week has seen a productive first test of MP4-20, and we have received very positive feedback from both Kimi and Juan Pablo on the car,” said CEO Formula One, Team McLaren Mercedes, Martin Whitmarsh.

“The extreme cold weather in Barcelona over the last few days did result in a temporary delay to the daily start time of our scheduled programme while we waited for the track temperature to increase. We have however completed a series of long runs over the week and conducted all the necessary checks associated with the running of a new car.”

Norbert Haug, Vice-President, Mercedes-Benz Motorsport was also pleased with the progress made. "Kimi Raikkonen and Juan-Pablo Montoya have covered more than 1100 kilometres on five test days since Monday. Kimi was at the wheel for the first three days whilst Juan Pablo drove on Thursday and Friday. On both of these days Juan Pablo covered more than one Grand Prix distance. All tests were run with one engine and this ran like clockwork. The team had to deal with only a few technical problems, in general, however, there were unforseen 'arctic' temperatures in Barcelona and on Monday, at the end of the test day, there was even light snow fall. Despite the track conditions being not at all ideal rather impressive times were achieved- what they are worth we will, however, only see at Melbourne in five weeks."

Team McLaren Mercedes will be back in action next week for a three day test in Valencia

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