Test De-Brief with Sam Michael

Posted on Friday 21 Sep 2007

So what have the team been working on this week in Jerez?
Sam: We were testing some parts that comprise the last upgrade for the FW29 this year in preparation for the race next week at Fuji. To continue our plans of getting things ready for next season well in advance, we also took the 2008 gearbox to the test and we put some mileage on that. We also completed some laps without traction control.

How important was the test in terms of the forthcoming races?
Sam: In terms of testing the upgrade parts, it was obviously a useful exercise, but much of the test was really spent focusing on 2008 developments.

The Jerez test was the last of the season, what will the test team be doing between now and when testing resumes?
Sam: The test team will be really busy supporting R&D work, including rig and vibration testing.

Alex’s DNF in Spa was only the third mechanical failure out of 28 starts for the team this year. What steps have been taken to ensure the problem doesn’t arise again?
Sam: We have carried out a thorough analysis of the fuel system parts and we are still waiting on some results from suppliers to make a final conclusion on the cause of the fault. We have taken steps to ensure that any parts involved in Sunday’s incident cannot cause the same failure again.

Performance-wise, the FW29 seems to have made some significant steps forward. What’s behind that?
Sam: The FW29 has maintained a development rate in line with the top teams of Ferrari and McLaren. While this is good and has enabled us to consolidate our position in the Constructors’ Championship, we are still about one sec per lap behind the front row and that’s what our focus is on. On top of that, Nico has been driving the FW29 exceptionally well, and I’m very proud of the way he has developed himself within the team from an engineering perspective.

What are your expectations for the remaining races of the season?
Sam: Fuji looks like it could be a very wet weekend according to some weather forecasts so that could provoke a lottery result! Aside from that, we will continue to push right up until the last Grand Prix to ensure we finish where we currently sit in the Constructors’ Championship.