Sauber lost some track time this afternoon due to a power train-related issue on the final day of pre-season testing in Jerez.
Despite this problem, Kamui Kobayashi was still able to complete 86 laps and finish the day as the second-fastest driver, behind only the Williams of Rubens Barrichello.
Giampaolo Dall’Ara, Head of Track Engineering for the team, said that Kobayashi did go off the track at one point, but didn’t damage the car. He also noted that the early finish meant that the team missed out on the rain in the last fifteen minutes of the day, and therefore a chance to run the C30 in wet conditions. However, reflecting the four days in Jerez, Dall’Ara concluded the test had gone well for the team:
“Overall we had very good track conditions in Jerez and did a lot of tyre evaluation, worked on systems and set-up,” he explained. “While it was also good for Kamui to work with the new systems, it was even more important and a really positive experience for the team to do some proper work with our new driver, Sergio (Perez), here in Jerez. More mileage in total would have been appreciated, but there are more tests to come.”
Kobayashi was also pleased with how his two days behind the wheel had gone. “For me these two days have been very interesting,” said the Japanese driver. “Although we lost track time today, we still covered some good mileage and I have learnt a lot more about the character of the new tyres. We still have to work hard but to me it was a positive test.”
The next pre-season test begins in Barcelona on Friday 18th February. Kobayashi will be in the car for the first two days and team-mate Sergio Perez will be on duty for the final two.
