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Formula Sprint 2
Japanese Grand Prix
Suzuka International Racing Course
Tuesday 2nd of April 2024 19:00:00
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January 25, 2003
The Phoenix F1 team concentrated on reliability testing during the recent Barcelona 4 day test. Andy Graydon was not at the track for the first two days and did not undertake any of the testing duties, as he prepared for the official launch of the race liveried PF1-01, now due on Monday 27th January 2003.

Antonio Irisarri completed the first two days of the test, producing the 8th quickest time set during the 4 days of testing.

"The car is feeling better with the current BHP. I made a couple of mistakes in day 2 so no big deal - the important thing is the power of the engine and the handling for the chassis. There is a little problem with my driving style with the back of the car - I'm braking too late and the back feeling so loose but I think for Melbourne the problem will be solved".

It is rumoured that Antonio will not be taking part in further official tests, but that he will conduct private runs in order to hone his race set-up for the up and coming season opener in Melbourne.

Day 3 saw Jan Kelder post the 4th quickest time of all sessions held, just under 4 tenths off the pace. He had the following to say:

"It was the first time I was testing with the Phoenix F1 team here in Barcelona. Last two days Antonio did the test sessions and did a great job by approaching the 1:16 laps. Continuing with Andy?s set up during the test, he did last year on this track, I did a longer stint to get used to set up and track. Subsequently we did some short 3 laps stints aiming for better race setup. But with low fuel in race trim I managed some fast lap times. The last one showed a first section time of 22.1 seconds. I intended to push for a top time, but I was ordered from pits to go from the gas, as the engine temperature was too high and possible damage should be avoided.

After the lunch I did two longer stints of each 10 laps with the same tyres to simulate a real race stint for the tyres. I am very satisfied with the very fast lap times, I managed in that period. I even got a pat on the back of my team boss Andy for it. He was on the circuit, as he had invited a sponsor to experience the test session. Tomorrow Mark is taking over and I know he will try to improve my fastest lap time. He is very fast, that guy. He does not care a hoot about all driver aids, really my style. The atmosphere in the whole Phoenix F1 team is brilliant, so I am looking forward to next week, when we are going to test on Monza track".

The last day saw Mark Nieuwlaar produce the 3rd quickest lap of the test, a tenth quicker than Kelder, and only around 3 tenths off the fastest pace. "Overall I am very positive about the improvements on the car. We where hoping on Renault with a quicker engine but we had to wait after Barcelona. First of all I want to thank Antonio and Jan helping me out with a decent race setup. We need as much data as we can get, before the season starts. I need to say that the Phoenix car was beyond expectations, most of the time I gathered race info and at the final rounds i did some laps with low fuel, I didn?t push at the max but still we had a good time. It was very surprising".

Team boss Andy Graydon was very happy with the 4 days testing.

"Apart from Jan's overheating problems we appear not to have had any other problems on the cars. We definitely need more reliability testing prior to the first race in March, but it is pleasing to see that we appear so competitive with a car that still has less BHP than the main competition. Renault have worked extremely hard over the last 3 months, and the driver's are raving about it's driveability".

Monza testing will be the next step for the Phoenix team, and then the official car launch.

"I penned the livery design myself" beamed Andy "and am very pleased indeed with the results".

At the end of the last day of testing Andy was also pleased to announce that Castrol had signed a 2 year deal as a secondary sponsor.