The Formula One season returns to Europe this week with Round Eight of the 2007 FIA Formula One World Championship, the French Grand Prix, held in the heart of France at the Circuit de Nevers in Magny-Cours.

Lap times vary noticeably depending on the ambient temperature. In common with other tight circuits, Formula One cars are set up to race with high levels of downforce, without completely compromising straight-line speed.

In preparation for this race and those to follow, the team tested some important new developments in Spain last week and Senior Technical Director, Shuhei Nakamoto is optimistic that drivers Rubens Barrichello and Jenson Button will be slightly more competitive this weekend.

“We made some good progress at the three-day test in Jerez last week where the excellent weather allowed us to fully complete our planned programme,” he reports. “We were therefore able to sign off various new mechanical parts and an aerodynamic upgrade for the RA107 as well as further improvements to the stability under braking. We expect a small improvement in performance in both qualifying and the race at Magny-Cours.”