Surtees: The Official Website

Silverstone Formula 2 Test
Henry Surtees sets fastest time
The competitors had to deal with extremely strong winds largely head on at Hanger Straight. Rain was threatening all day and came after the two main sessions for each of the two groups had been held. It was unfortunate that no-one got the opportunity of trying the boost button and extra 50bhp that is available.
I had driven up with Henry and our good friend John Corless to observe this second test. The Palmer organisation had been busy reviewing the results of the Snetterton test and carried out a number of modifications. For the sake of stability the drivers remained in their same groups and also retained the same engineers. Following the Valencia race the engineers will commence a merry-go-round from race to race.
Henry experienced a little problem in first practice which left him stranded on the circuit. This was with a clutch mechanism. But not before registering fifth fastest time in the few laps he had done. He felt happy in the way he was getting to know the car. The second session had rain clouds racing over head but luckily it stayed dry until the last minutes of the last session within the normal testing. Marcus, the engineer, had made a good call and put on a set of slicks which Henry then proceeded to go out and set three fastest laps in the four timed laps he did which certainly brought a smile to my face and a remark from Martin Brundle that he must have used the boost button to do that time! You can imagine my comment.
On other young driver developments, the Racing Steps Foundation Jack Harvey had mixed results at the Spanish Grand Prix in BMW. After a good first qualifying where he got it together for one lap to gain fifth place it didn’t work out for him in his second time and he ended up eighteenth. A finish of seventh in the first race and of eighteenth in the second race I think showed up some of the problems with not having done a national junior formula first.
James Calado continued his good pace winning at Donington in Formula Renault. A spin in the first race put him to the back but he made amends and drove a forceful race to first place in the second.
John Surtees
20 May 2009