After a successful ‘shake down’ test at Barcelona (Spain) last week, the Superleague Formula teams AC Milan and Galatasaray SK headed to Italy to continue the preseason testing program at the Vallelunga circuit near Rome.
On Wednesday August 6, Thursday August 7, and Friday August 8 the 750-hp, V12-powered cars enjoyed a problem-free three days test around the 4.085km circuit despite the extreme heat. Dutchman Robert Doornbos was at the wheel for AC Milan and Italian Alessandro Pier Guidi plus Turk Jason Tahinci for Galatasaray SK. Robert Doornbos (Galatasaray SK) clocked the fastest time of days 1 and 2: (1.24.012 day 1; 1.23.475, day 2. On day 3, the best time was Alessandro Pier Guidi’s for Galatasaray SK with 1.22.798.
Scuderia Playteam used the Vallelunga tests to continue working on data gathered at Barcelona in order to prepare for the first ever race of the series. Scuderia Playteam engineers have now gathered enough data and background material to skip the next Donington tests planned on August 21 for some of the other teams. Instead they will prepare for an ultimate test day on August 28 prior to the first race of the season during the week-end August 30-31.
As for the Turk Galatasaray SK car, after covering over 140 laps over three days, they took third best time with 1.24.012 on day 1. On day 2 Galatasaray SK finished in fourth and took best time on day 3.
"The tests were very useful for working on some modifications to the car after the results in Barcelona. It was a positive three days session and I have progressed a lot with the car. We have done more laps than in Barcelona and this is very positive.
Overall I am pleased with the development," confirmed Alessandro Pier Guidi. "Everyday we try to better develop the car to be at the top of our form for the first race in Donington at the end of the month. I think we are on the right path with the correct options. I am eager to get to the race week-end."
"This second session was very important. In Barcelona we only covered very few laps compared to this session. We needed to get familiar with the car. Now we are only a few days away from the first race would need more time to get to the very top level in terms results" mentioned Robert Doornbos.
"I am happy with the work of the team and the engineers. I worked previously with Gabriele Tredozi in F1 and this of course helps during the hard moments and crucial last minute choices because we have already acquired from the past a comprehensive working routine together.
It is clear that with a new car the work and areas for improvement areas never end. In any case, we have acquired good information to prepare a good race strategy in Donington. I am eager to get to that weekend."
"Even I did not drive the car a lot, I have a good feeling now with the car." said Jason Tahinci. "The team is doing a good job. Step after step we build the future of the season and we have set the right directions for the progressing with the car progress direction." said Jason Tahinci.
Results for 3 days of tests:
(Legend: giorno = day; mattino = morning)
Nine teams were present in Vallelunga on occasion of this three days test session, including on top of AC Milan and GALATASARAY sk, Borussia Dortmund, FC Basel, Olympiacos, Flamengo, Anderlecht, Glasgow Rangers and Roma.
The complete Superleague Formula calendar includes Donington Park (August 30-31), Nurburgring (September 20-21), Zolder (October 4-5), Estoril (October 18-19), Vallelunga (November 1-2) and Jerez (November 22-23)
Agnes Carlier- photos Superleague Formula Jorg Andreu
