Marco Andretti’s Exclusive Formula One Test Journal

On Wednesday, February 7th & Thursday, February 8th, Marco Andretti was once again invited to join the Honda Racing F1 Team at the Circuito de Jerez in Spain to test drive their 2006 RA106 car in order to aid development of their 2007 RA107 entry to the Formula One World Championship. Marco completed the two full day tests in great spirits and received much praise from the heads of Honda Racing F1. Marco also took the time during the test to spend time socializing and talking tactics with 2007 season Honda Racing F1 drivers Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello.

Throughout the test, Marco took the time to note his thoughts and feelings on the subject of Formula 1, his successes at the Jerez testing session, and his future with Andretti Green Racing and the IRL Indycar series. Marco’s personal diary and accompanying images are now available exclusively at Marco Andretti’s official website www.marcoandretti.com

For the first test day, it took Marco some time to re-adjust to the power and grip of a modern Formula One car. "My test day on Wednesday was all about getting reacclimatized to the F1 car after driving the Indy car in Daytona last week ay the IRL open test." Marco said. "F1 cars are 180 degrees different than the Indy cars because of the power steering and the traction control (the Indy cars have neither), and the brakes are so awesome–you literally can go from top 7th gear speed of over 200 MPH to a 1st gear hairpin turn at 35 MPH in the length of your living room."

During the second test day, Marco got to experience driving the RA106 Honda Racing F1 car in wet weather conditions, something that can be difficult for IRL Indycar Series drivers. Marco however, took it in his stride. "I have always liked running in the wet and this day was no different" he commented, "believe it or not, the grip with these cars in the wet is as good as any other car in the dry! I turned approximately 70 laps on Thursday and did a lot of data collection as well for the team including many race standing starts and pull forwards."

After the test, Marco reflected on his time at Jerez and what he has gained from his experience with Honda Racing F1. "Physically after the two days, I felt great and would have loved to keep going but the test was completed. Prior to leaving the track, we debriefed some more with the team and the engineers. I met some really good people throughout this experience and I am sure that we'll see each other again in the future in some way."

See www.marcoandretti.com for exclusive photos and notes from Marco’s recent F1 testing sessions, and preseason IRL Indycar Series tests at Daytona and Homestead-Miami. Throughout the season, marcoandretti.com is the first place to find all the news and views on the 2006 IRL Indycar Series Rookie of the Year and his campaign to lead the AGR team to 2007 Indycar Series glory. Join us from the first race at Florida’s Homestead-Miami speedway, right through to the season’s close at Chicagoland Speedway as we support Marco Andretti in another successful Indycar year, his hopes to better his success at the Indy 500 and work towards the 2007 IRL Indycar Series title. PRWeb