FIA GT Championship

Scuderia Ecosse Monza test report

© DPPI

The Scuderia Ecosse team have been out on track in Italy this week for the first official test and pre-season media day at Monza. The fast track gave the team a good opportunity to run on their new Pirelli tyres and work on developing the car for the first few races of the season. Andrew Kirkaldy set the fastest GT2 lap time of the test (1:49.505), closely followed by Tim Mullen (1:49.783), so the team is pleased with the progress they have made so far.
Tim Mullen, Chris Niarchos and Andrew Kirkaldy were on duty for the team at Monza; new boys Tomas Enge and Jarek Janis had other commitments this week but will be in the driving seat for the team soon. The aim of the two day test was to begin working with Pirelli and to - metaphorically-speaking - blow away the winter cobwebs!

Tim Mullen was busy this afternoon doing some long runs. “We’ve definitely had a productive test” he said. “It’s always good to get back in a racing car after the winter and we were pleased to find that the Pirellis are consistent over a long run.”

This was Chris Niarchos’ first time at Monza but it didn’t taken him long to get up to speed. “This is my first time back in the car after having three months off,” he said. “I have to say it feels fantastic. I’m very happy with the car, very happy with the tyres and very happy with my team-mate; although he does keep saying I’m in trouble if I don’t go faster! Seriously though I can feel an immediate improvement over last year. I felt very confident in the car and I’m looking forward to a good season.”

Chris’ new driving partner for 2007, Andrew Kirkaldy, commented: “It’s good to be back on the Pirellis. The balance and the speed of the car over the two days has been good so we’re very pleased.”

Team Principal Stewart Roden is very happy with the performance of the team this week. “The car is going incredibly well and I’m more than delighted with the performance of the new Pirelli tyres. We’re off to Knockhill next week to test with Tomas (Enge) then to Fiorano to shake down our new car, then it’s all systems go for China.”