By IANS
Barcelona : Force India Formula One Team’s Giancarlo Fisichella has posted the fourth fastest time of the 15 drivers testing on the opening day of three-day test of the 2007 Spanish Grand Prix at the Circuit de Catalunya here Friday.
The Italian recorded a best lap of 1 min 23.015, 0.8 secs which was quicker than the team’s fastest lap in qualifying for the Barcelona Test. His best lap was less than one second slower than McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton.
Fisichella completed 100 laps of the circuit, the most of any driver, with a programme that focussed on improving set-up and reliability. With no major mechanical problems during the day, the team completed the planned work and looks forward to continuing the programme with Tonio Liuzzi Saturday.
Post race, a satisfied 35-year-old Fisichella felt the team was moving in the right direction.
“It was a good day today and I think we made a lot of progress. We did some runs to work on the set-up and looked at some parts to improve reliability and had no big problems over the day.
“I felt more comfortable in the car too. We are definitely going in the right direction and the times were pretty good. I’m very happy as we’re showing the potential we have now.”
Mike Gascoyne, chief technical officer too was pleased with his team’s progress.
“A very productive day of testing that was only spoilt by the numerous red flag periods we experienced. The car ran reliably with no real problems and we completed a full programme of set-up and reliability work.
“As you can see, we have made good progress with Giancarlo and can count this as a very pleasing day. We now have to maintain this with Tonio (Liuzzi) and Adrian over the next two days.”