2007 December

Lewis Hamilton returned to testing duties for the McLaren Mercedes squad today and promptly set the pace around the 4.428km Jerez circuit, despite an off in the morning session. The championship runner-up recorded a best time of 1:19.371s, three-tenths off Nick Heidfeld’s Tuesday best, and completed 73 laps.

David Coulthard posted the second fastest time in his Red Bull Renault and was one of a number of drivers who tested the slick tyres on offer from Bridgestone as the sole tyre supplier gears up for a possible return in 2009. Coulthard lapped within 0.050s of Hamilton’s best in his RB3 while team-mate Mark Webber was down the order in 15th position.

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Philips Shavers have signed a new multi-year sponsorship agreement with the Williams Formula One team. The agreement, which runs through to the end of the 2010 Formula One season, includes exclusive access to promotional collateral and an increased level of branding with the team.

“Over its first two years, Philips partnership with the AT&T Williams team has yielded significant returns for our shaving business and raised the global profile of the Philips Shavers brand” said Nico Engelsman, Senior Vice President, Philips Shavers. “We are proud to be an official partner of one of Formula One’s most successful teams, a team which shares our core values of technical innovation and the pursuit of excellence. Entering into a new three year sponsorship agreement clearly demonstrates Philips Shavers confidence in our partnership and in the AT&T Williams team.”

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Giancarlo Fisichella and Franck Montagny kicked off the first day of the Force India Formula One Team’s test programme today at the Circuit de Jerez, southern Spain. Both drivers made their debut runs in the team’s burgundy and white challengers to aid the team with its extensive development programme this week.

‘It’s my first day back in the car nearly two months after the last race in Brazil, plus my first with another car and new engine, and of course without the electronics. Considering this I am quite happy about how the day went though,” Fisi said. “We did have a couple of issues so I didn’t run as much as I would have liked; with new tyres I had a problem with the hydraulic pressure, and when I tried out the slick tyres there was a problem on the diff so we didn’t get a proper idea of how the tyres will work. All the same I do think it’s been a positive day though and a good basis for tomorrow.’

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