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Honda Racing F1 Team - Jerez Test Report

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JEREZ, SPAIN
22 SEPTEMBER


TEST REPORT


The Honda Racing F1 Team completed its final test of the 2006 Formula
One season at the Jerez circuit in Spain today. An intensive fortnight
which has seen six days of testing in Jerez has enabled the team to
finalise its preparations for the remaining three races of the season in
China, Japan and Brazil. The test programme this week concentrated on
the evaluation of the tyres and engine specification for the last two
races along with further chassis and electronic controls developments. 

Anthony Davidson and James Rossiter began the test programme on
Wednesday and spent the day focusing on tyre programmes to evaluate the
options for the final race of the season in Brazil. Both drivers also
ran through electronic systems checks and a short aero programme with
Anthony completing 120 laps and James totalling 119 laps by the end of
the day.

Jenson Button joined the team in Jerez on Thursday for his final test of
the season, taking over from Anthony. Jenson and James began their
running with short aero evaluations before focusing on further tyre work
to evaluate the Brazil tyre options, along with electronic and
suspension work. Both drivers completed 112 laps, with Jenson setting
the fastest time of the day.

Heavy overnight rain meant that the circuit remained damp this morning
which limited the dry running available to Jenson and Anthony, who
rejoined the test for the final day. Anthony ran through a race start
simulation alongside electronic systems work whilst Jenson completed a
short aero run before having an early lunch. With the circuit fully dry,
both drivers spent the afternoon continuing their tyre evaluation
programme, followed by chassis set-up work in Anthony's car and a
further aero test for Jenson. The day was then finished off with a
series of race start simulations. Anthony completed 97 laps with Jenson
covering 101 laps as he took the second engine of the week past its
target mileage. 

Jenson Button
"We have done some very useful work this week in preparation for the
final three races. Yet again we have had good reliability and it was
very pleasing to see the two engines reach their target mileage.
Although it was very windy yesterday, we have got a lot of positive
results from the three days and completed our planned programme of aero
and tyre work. We were the very last team to end our test programme with
Michelin and a big thank you to them and our test team. I'm looking
forward to getting out to China now and hopefully getting some good
results in the final three races of the season."

Anthony Davidson
"After working on the tyres for China last week, we spent this test
focusing on the tyre options for the final race of the season in Brazil
along with aero and electronic controls work. The conditions on
Wednesday were difficult as it was very windy but we were still able to
collect some good data and our times were competitive, particularly on
the long runs. Although it was wet early on this morning, conditions
today were much better. It's been a very good couple of weeks to round
off testing for this season."

James Rossiter
"It has been another good test this week with excellent reliability from
the car and engine so we could cover a lot of laps on both days. My
programme concentrated on evaluating the tyre options for the Brazil
race and some electronics development work which saw some interesting
results."
 
Mark Ellis - Chief Engineer Vehicle Performance
"We have had an extremely good test this week continuing the development
of further performance improvements for the remaining races of the
season. The strong winds on the first two days and overnight rain
yesterday meant that we have had to tailor the test programme to suit
the conditions but we have succeeded in completing our planned schedule.
This includes signing off the new engine step planned for the Japanese
Grand Prix, achieving well over the two race weekend mileage on two
engines and a comprehensive tyre programme for Brazil. This week
concludes our test programme for the 2006 season; everyone involved both
at the track and the factories in Brackley and Tochigi has done a
fantastic job this year in what has been our most productive programme
to date. This week also marks our last test session in partnership with
Michelin and we would like to thank them for their support over the past
three seasons."


TEST STATS

Drivers	  	  Chassis	  	Wednesday 20 September
Thursday 21 September	  		    Friday 22 September	
Jenson Button	  RA106-06	  	-
112 laps    Fastest lap 01:16.970	    101 laps    Fastest lap
01:17.280	
Anthony Davidson 	  RA106-06/02	120 laps    Fastest lap
01:17.617	  -	  					    97
laps     Fastest lap 01:17.123	
James Rossiter 	  RA106-02	  	119 laps    Fastest lap
01:17.765	  112 laps    Fastest lap 01:17.825	    -	



ENDS

For further information on the Honda Racing F1 Team, please contact:


General Media Enquiries					Communications
Manager, Tracy Novak
Telephone:	+44 (0)1280 844096 			Direct Dial:
+44 (0)1280 844212
Fax:		+44 (0)1280 844211 			Mobile:
+44 (0)7736 630753
Email:	media@HondaRacingF1.com 		Email:
tnovak@HondaRacingF1.com

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