Just some further info about the Barcelona ...

Published on 03 February 1997 by Verstappen Info Page

Just some further info about the Barcelona test. Dr. Harvey Postlethwaite the Managing Director-Engineering said to be very pleased with the progress of the new car. "It has good handling balance, all three drivers liked it and report that the Ford engine is very robust. The reliability has been excellent and we are all very encouraged by the potential the 025 is displaying."

Jos drove 24 laps on Wednesday morning on wets and a further 33 laps on slick tyres later that afternoon. On Thursday Jos drove two 15 lap stints on slicks in which he would record his quickest time. The only problem Jos would have was a small oil leak due to a broken pipe towards the end of the morning.
The team drove on Goodyear C coumpound slicks this week.
Besides Salo and Verstappen the team's testdriver Toranosuke Takagi got his first real test with the 025 on a dry track. The Japanese drove a total of 29 laps and declared to be very happy with his first real outing in a Formula 1 car. Team manager Steve Nielsen was also satisfied with the performance of his new testdriver, certainly regarding that Toranosuke drove for the first time in Barcelona in a virtually strange car.

Tyrrell will continue testing on Thursday at Jerez where the team will use two cars simultaneously. The second 025 chassis is now made ready for transport to Spain.

The FIA has changed the regulations of testing as requested by the teams. The regulations will be as follows: No testing is allowed on any circuit where a Grand Prix will be held during the season. There is an exception for the circuits where the British, French, Italian and Spanish Grand Prix are held.

Furthermore the FIA confirmed the Portugese Grand Prix at Estoril on 26 October. The facilities will be upgraded this year. The FIA will inspect the changes at 31 August.