Vodafone McLaren Mercedes F1 Team Final Test Report

After a week of exhausting test programme at the Sepang International Circuit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes new comer Lewis Hamilton has completed the last day of test run aboard the McLaren Mercedes MP4-22. Hamilton finished 43 laps with 1m37.448 time.

After the test run, Lewis Hamilton commented: "The test in Malaysia this week has been very productive, with us covering over 1,400 km as we push forward with development of the MP4-22. A big focus for this week was evaluation of the Bridgestone Potenza compounds that we will have for the race next weekend. We have managed to get a good understanding of the various performances in the conditions at Sepang. We were also working on finding performance in the car to try and close the gap to Ferrari. It was my first experience of driving in Malaysia, and it was tougher than I expected! The heat in the cockpit is incredible, but I am making sure I keep hydrated when I am at the track and am continuing to train in the heat. These three days have been really useful as part of my acclimatisation process for the race. The circuit itself is great, it is very wide and flowing, and I am looking forward to racing on it."

Furthermore, Lewis Hamilton is ready for the next race this season at the 2007 Malaysian Grand Prix that will take place in the same circuit. Hamilton also commented about his team's preparation for the 2007 Malaysian GP: "From what I had seen of the track before arriving for the test this week, I thought it looked like a great circuit and I was not disappointed. Its layout means you can build up a great rhythm, with all the corners running into each other. It is also really wide, which I imagine will lead to exciting racing. The four days of testing this week were really useful on two counts."

Meanwhile, Martin Whitmarsh, CEO Formula 1, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes said:
"To be entering the second Grand Prix of the season heading the Constructors’ Championship is of course pleasing and a positive start; however we have to now take that performance and try to build on it. In addition to coming away from Australia with the two podium finishes, we were also able to learn more about the MP4-22 (equipped with Mercedes vent visor) and how we can find the additional performance required. We have to work in a hard and focused manner to improve, but ensure we keep scoring well during the process. Fernando and Lewis both had great debuts with the team and we are working with them to keep this momentum that is in the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team going."

Dwyane Thomas is a part time cook and full-time auto-enthusiast. This 31-year old Civil and Environmental graduate is a consultant at one of the engineering firms in Pennsylvania.