Grand Prix of Great
Britain - Free Practice Round-Up
Friday 9 July 2004
 Cristiano
da Matta (Car 16, Chassis TF104/04) First Session Classification: 18th, 16
laps completed Lap Time: 1m22.466s (+3.328s)
Second Session Classification: 15th, 19 laps completed Lap Time:
1m20.829 (+2.174)
"A very frustrating first day at Silverstone today with the car
behaving similarly to how it did at the test in June. It is bumping a lot
and there is a big difference in the balance from high speed to low speed.
The only positive thing I can draw from today's session is the fantastic job
my crew did to change the gearbox in just 20 minutes after I had a wheel
bearing problem at the start of the second session. Their quick reactions
and efficient work meant that the problem did not negate our programme that
much."
 Olivier
Panis (Car 17, Chassis TF104/03)
First Session Classification: 19th, 15 laps completed Lap Time: 1m22.520s
(+3.382s)
Second Session Classification: 14th, 25 laps completed Lap Time: 1m20.489s
(+1.834s)
"We had a normal Friday practice, comparing the two compounds of
Michelin tyres and working on the set-up of the car. I think we need to work
really hard to improve the car for tomorrow because there is definitely a
lot more we can get out of it at this track. We will look deep into the data
during this afternoon and hopefully make some progress in tomorrow morning's
sessions."
 Ricardo
Zonta (Car 38, Chassis TF104/07)
First Session Classification: 11th, 27 laps completed Lap Time: 1m21.095s
(+1.957s)
Second Session Classification: 13th, 35 laps completed Lap Time: 1m20.095s
(+1.440s)
"Today's practice sessions were both quite productive, even though
there is still plenty of room for improvement. The tyre choice appears to be
rather complicated at this track. On each of the two types of tyre we
evaluated, we gain time in one way, but we lose out in the other, so we have
to find the best compromise before making our final selection. I think we
did a good job in the end. Silverstone is a very nice track from a driving
perspective, but it is extremely bumpy, which disrupts the car a lot."
Mike Gascoyne - Technical Director Chassis:
"It has been quite a difficult opening day
with low track temperatures and low grip. Unlike other teams, we have only
had one three-day test here at Silverstone this year, so it is perhaps
harder for us to find the best set-up on our cars. It is clear that we have
a lot of work still to do. The tyre choice is also quite difficult, as we
have experienced different balances on the two compounds we have at our
disposal. Overall though, we completed many laps and acquired a lot of data,
but we certainly need to work hard to improve the cars for tomorrow." |
