Nick fastest in Monza test

Monza (Italy), Aug. 28: Force India test driver Tonio Liuzzi posted the eighth fastest time while running a hiccup-free 99 laps as Force India kick-started its three-day test at the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza here in style.

BMW Sauber’s Nick Heidfeld was quickest in morning testing as Formula One teams began preparations ahead of the Italian GP on Spetember 14.

Heidfeld completed 49 laps and set a best time of 1 minute 22.621 seconds with Nico Rosberg of Williams two-and-a-half tenths back in second and Toro Rosso’s Sebastian Vettel third fastest a further half second down.

Ferrari’s Felipe Massa was only fourth fastest in 1:23.445 with McLaren’s Heikki Kovalainen and former double world champion Fernando Alonso in a Renault sixth.

Force India conducted set-up and aero work that will be unique to this event and the forthcoming Italian Grand Prix on the 5.793km high-speed, low downforce track.

Liuzzi completed 99 laps in total, with a best lap time of 1min 24.239, the eighth quickest time of the day.

Adrian Sutil will take over from the Italian with Giancarlo Fisichella bringing the test to a close on Friday.

"We tried to get a good set-up for the rest of the test and the race in just a couple of weeks time, and I think we can be happy with how it went today," the Italian driver said.

"The grip levels were very low and it was quite difficult with the tyres we had, and especially as I had not been in the car for some time for a real test. We did make some good progress though, almost 100 laps with no problems and we are not too far from the others in the times either," a confident Liuzzi added.

Chief race and test engineer Dominic Harlow too was pleased with the output.

"With the aero configuration for Monza being dramatically different to any other track we visit on the calendar, today’s programme focussed on evaluating different set-ups and wing levels specifically for the Italian Grand Prix," he said.

"We also conducted some work on engine mapping, brake testing and tyre evaluation... Overall, we had a good day and are pretty happy with the information we gathered, it’s been a good start to the test," Harlow added.

— PTI