Programme

For the second and final day of the last in-season test of 2015, Fernando Alonso got into the cockpit of the McLaren-Honda MP4-30 to continue the evaluative work started by Stoffel Vandoorne yesterday.

The weather today was much more favourable, and the session opened on a green flag at 09:00am. However, the conditions out on track continued to change throughout the day, with the team constantly adapting to varying dampness around different parts of the circuit.

However, like yesterday, today’s running was very productive, and Fernando completed 104 laps of the Spielberg Circuit. As a continuation of the work completed yesterday, the team’s focus was on testing of a variety of aero components, including the new shorter nose box seen over the Austrian Grand Prix weekend.

Fernando Alonso

“Today was a positive day. The most important thing was to put some laps on the car after the problems we’ve had in the last couple of races. We managed to complete more than 100 laps, and, together with Stoffel’s laps yesterday, I think we finished the test with some good information. Now, we need to go back to the factory and analyse everything, but we definitely have a lot of data to go forward with. I’m pretty happy with how the test has gone.”

Dave Redding McLaren-Honda Team manager

“Our aim after yesterday’s test was to continue the positive momentum into today, and we have definitely managed that. The morning session began with data and system set-up checks followed by aero correlation tests, which included fitting the new shorter nose. The afternoon session was dedicated to further aero testing of a range of new bodywork components, tyre assessment, and further power unit functionality tests.

“Overall, we were able to make the most of the good weather and dry track conditions to complete solid sections of the test programme to our satisfaction. Both days of the test have been productive – and most importantly, reliable – and we are now armed with lots of valuable data and useful feedback from both drivers, that we can take away and analyse in preparation for the next two races before the summer break.”

Today’s unofficial testing times

What’s next

The team heads back to MTC to complete data analysis from the test and prepare the two race chassis, before travelling to Silverstone next week for the British Grand Prix – the first of McLaren-Honda’s two home races.

Test dates

Two days (June 23-24).

Programme

For the first day of this year’s second and final in-season test, McLaren-Honda test and development driver Stoffel Vandoorne got behind the wheel of MP4-30 for the first time to conduct a day of useful evaluative work.

Unfortunately, heavy rain meant much of the morning session was red-flagged, and Stoffel was only able to complete one installation lap first thing on the sodden track. The session was then extended until 20:00 to make up for lost running.The afternoon session proved much more productive, despite very damp track conditions initially. The main focus of the day was aero testing and mapping of various components, including the new shorter nose and both a new front and rear wing. As the track dried out, we shifted our attention to systems checks and power unit development, before completing further aero tests at the end of the session as the rain returned.

All of Stoffel’s 77 laps were trouble-free, completing a successful day of evaluations.

Stoffel Vandoorne Test and development driver

“After a difficult morning with the wet weather, it was good to get out on track this afternoon and get a decent amount of laps in. It was still difficult with the conditions and the track was quite greasy, but I felt very at ease with the car from the beginning and got up to speed pretty quickly, which was positive. 

“It’s been a trouble-free day for us, and we’ve completed good sections of the test programme. It was busy for me behind the wheel with a lot of system checks and switch position changes, but, overall, it was a good day with a lot of learning. There’s lots of valuable data to analyse from today and hopefully Fernando will have the chance for a good run and some more useful data to collect tomorrow.”

Dave Redding McLaren-Honda Team manager

“The bad weather at the start of the day was frustrating, which meant we had to adapt our test programme slightly to accommodate the lost track time, but the extended running certainly helped. All in all, it was a good day; Stoffel performed admirably in the variable conditions, especially considering it was his first time in MP4-30. Importantly, the car ran reliably throughout the entire session, and with Stoffel’s feedback and the valuable data collected, we can learn a lot from today’s running and continue this momentum into tomorrow’s test.”
 

Today’s unofficial testing times

 
What’s next

Fernando takes over for the second and final day of the test. He’ll be focussing on further mechanical set-up work, aero testing and power unit development.

Test dates

Two days (June 23-24).

@F1Photographer Darren Heath delivers a stunning collection of images for each race in the 2015 calendar. View the Austrian Grand Prix Gallery above.

A selection of images from across the weekend, as Spielberg hosted round eight of the 2015 Formula 1 championship.