Today the Benetton Playlife resumed the test ...

Published on 14 May 1998 by Verstappen Info Page

Today the Benetton Playlife resumed the test session that was started on Monday and Tuesday on the circuit of Jerez in Southern Spain. Yesterday was a day off for Jos and Giancarlo because the circuit was rented to another party. Contrary to the start of this week it was now warm and sunny weather. The best times were set this morning.

Jos told us tonight that he was still very pleased with the way things were going at the test session. Today was no exception to this. Jos drove some 49 laps and set a best time of 1:26.2. Giancarlo Fisichella also drove today, using a modified engine revving 400 rpm more and delivering more horsepower, and set a best time of 1:25.9. Jos was obviously very pleased with the fact that he was able to keep up with factory driver Fisichella during the whole of the test session.

Today's session was spent working on further improvements of the set up of the car. Jos used the rear suspension that was used by Fisichella on Tuesday. Fisichella drove with another new rear suspension. The Benetton car of Jos is behaving very good during the whole of the session, there were no spins or outings in the gravel pit what so ever. Tomorrow is the last day of the session, in which Jos hopes to drive another 60 laps. On Saturday Jos will perform the shake down of the cars for the Monaco Grand Prix and then he can return home.