Schumacher concludes GP2 test
1151 kms covered in three days
Michael Schumacher and the GP2 Series concluded a three-day development test today in Jerez, Spain. Clear blue skies, strong winds and a much dryer track offered the possibility to run in slick tyres for the majority of the day.
The Mercedes GP PETRONAS driver completed 130 laps today and covered 576kms which brings the total amount of distance covered to 1151kms in three days. This morning, Schumacher ran for 23 laps in wet tyres before switching to slicks for the rest of the day. Today’s session included three long runs of 20 laps each. He set his best laptime of the day in a 1:24.621 in his last run.
Michael Schumacher said: “I could really drive a lot on this last day of testing and it worked out perfectly. I am very happy with the way testing went here: we worked well, times and consistency were well, we could do everything we had scheduled to do. I feel fit, I felt comfortable immediately back in the car – hey, let’s go for it!”
GP2 Series organiser Bruno Michel said: “This has been a fantastic opportunity for the GP2 Series and everyone involved in the competition. Michael Schumacher’s analysis and feedback was fantastic and the GP2 technical staff who has been working with him this week is positive that what has been learned from this development test will provide us with an even better car in 2011.
“We are very happy that Michael chose our car to get his sensations back at the wheel of a high-performance machine and that he stated that it was the closest thing to a current Formula 1 car. He made a few comments comparing the GP2 and the F1 cars notably regarding their handling.
We are now looking forward the second round of the GP2 Asia Series next month in Abu Dhabi and we would like to wish Michael all the best for his return to Formula One.”