19 February: Friesacher and Albers on Track at Imola
Testing Summary - Imola
Date: 19 February 2005 Location: Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola,
Italy Weather: Sunny, but cold Air temperature: 2-11 deg C, Track temperature: 5-19 deg C Drivers:
Patrick Friesacher (A) Chassis allocation:
PS04B/03 Distance covered: 324.1 km
Christijan Albers (NL) Chassis allocation: PS04B/04 Distance covered:
258.2 km
The Minardi F1 Team today staged its final test prior to the start of the 2005 Formula One season, in
Melbourne, in two weeks’ time. The Faenza squad fielded a pair of Minardi Cosworth PS04B chassis, for Christijan Albers and newly
signed race driver, Patrick Friesacher. The primary purpose of the test was to allow both men to continue acclimatising to F1
performance and to familiarise themselves with the Imola circuit, which will be the site of the first Grand Prix of the 2005
European season, in April. In addition, the technical programme today involved aerodynamic work and evaluation of the Bridgestone
tyres the team will use in Australia.
PATRICK FRIESACHER Best lap: 1 min 25.872 secs Total laps: 59 “I’m very
happy with the way things have gone today, particularly since this is only my second time in a Minardi since the Misano test. I
gained more confidence in the car with each lap. We did a long run this afternoon, aimed at tyre evaluation, and apart from getting
some good information, it also gave me a chance to test my fitness, which I’m pleased to say, seems good. We finished the day
without any problems, and I have to thank the whole team for their efforts – the atmosphere is fantastic. I can’t wait to get to
Melbourne.”
CHRISTIJAN ALBERS Best lap: 1 min 25.980 secs Total laps: 47 “Overall, I think we have had a good
test today, and I feel like I have done a good job. The morning session was particularly positive, as I was able to work with the
engineers to develop some aerodynamic approaches the team is looking at. We have not had any technical problems today, and I think
this a good sign for our last test before Melbourne.”
MASSIMO RIVOLA, Sporting Director and Team Manager “Both
drivers did good, solid jobs today, and there was nothing between them in terms of lap times, even though they were on different
programmes. Christijan helped us to gain some important aerodynamic information that will be relevant to the PS05, while Patrick
completed a long run in the afternoon on the 2005 Melbourne-specification tyres, and also recorded some interesting results. We
particularly want to thank Bridgestone once again for their support, and we now look forward to the start of the new season, in
Australia.”
PAUL STODDART, Team Principal “This has been a very useful final pre-season test for the team.
Christijan and Patrick were assigned different tasks today, but both did exactly what was required and provided the team’s
technical staff with some useful data. It has also been a worthwhile personal exercise for both drivers, in that they have now
accumulated some experience of the Imola circuit in a Formula One car, which should stand them in good stead when they return here
for the San Marino Grand Prix.”
