Mike Conway, the sole British driver in the F1 World Championship-supporting GP2 Series continued his preparations for his maiden season with two days testing at Barcelona, in which he turned an excellent fourth fastest lap in the final afternoon session yesterday.
Driving with the Super Nova team, the Barcelona test, which featured all this year’s drivers and teams, was Conway’s first time on this Formula One track. His first experience of the newly configured 4.65 km Circuit de Catalunya took place in damp conditions, following torrential rain a day earlier which had drenched the track. Improving weather as the morning session progressed aided Conway’s learning and he continued running through the afternoon.
On the second day of testing Conway worked through a programme of development with his Super Nova engineers and with the pace hotting up, he was able to improve on his times, despite numerous red flag stoppage periods. After the morning session Conway had posted 14th fastest lap, yet this time was only just over a second off the fastest. In the final afternoon of track time Conway closed the gap to less than half a second off the quickest time, a highly creditable performance from the young driver.
He said after the test, “On the first day we didn’t make as much progress as we would have liked, but we got there in the end. I think one of the keys for us this season is how quickly we can adapt to the circuits, particularly with so many of them being new to me. It didn’t take us long at Barcelona and I hope that we can continue at this level throughout the season.
“In the last half hour of the test when it’s a bit cooler most of us put on new tyres, and ran with low fuel simulating a qualifying run, although we went out a little earlier than most teams. This is an important part of my learning process. I need to get the best out of the tyres on the first lap, as they drop off substantially after that in most cases, so it’s making sure I nail it on that first lap. I think our times show that we’re on the pace with this.
“I enjoyed driving this track. I found it quite different to drive than my perceptions from seeing it on television and on-boards. The first corner is quick, even though it’s third gear and I reckon the new chicane which does slow us down, will help overtaking in the races. We finished the day with pitstop practice and my Super Nova crew clocking their fastest stop ever, so it was a good finish to a strong day of running. “
The final pre-season official test session for the GP2 series starts in less than a week’s time, with the field of drivers and teams returning to Paul Ricard circuit from 15 - 16 March, ahead of the first race of the season which takes place in Bahrain from 13 - 15 April.
