F1 Testing concluded at Jerez and Bahrain for the week.
At Jerez, Sebastien Bourdais set the fastest time of the day in the 2008 spec Toro Rosso. Lewis Hamilton was second in the MP4-24 running a modified 2008 spec rear wing while Fernando Alonso was 3rd fastest in the R29.
Testing returns to Jerez in early March
Full Results
Rank Driver Team Best Laptime Total Laps
1 Sebastien Bourdais Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:17.472 117
2 Lewis Hamilton McLaren Mercedes 1:19.632 94
3 Fernando Alonso Renault 1:19.846 109
4 Nico Rosberg Williams 1:21.217 71
5 Mark Webber Red Bull Racing 1:21.313 62
6 Kazuki Nakajima Williams (pitstop practice) 34
Toro Rosso:
"ADDIO STR 3"
So farewell then to STR3, which completed its final test session today, having served us well this winter and since making its race debut in Monaco last year.
In good weather, with track temperature reaching a useful 30 degrees, Sebastien Bourdais had the honour of driving the car for the last time, working on a Qualifying simulation programme with three different compounds of Bridgestone tyre, while also carrying out an evaluation of the front and rear suspension. A reliability validation of the Ferrari 056 engine was also completed, with the unit doing even more laps than expected. A minor mechanical problem meant the day ended an hour ahead of schedule, but nevertheless, the day's full programme was completed.
McLaren's programme:
While the opening day was briefly marred by a midday rainshower, the remainder of the programme was carried out under clear blue skies and warm sunshine, allowing the team to put some serious mileage on the new car. The majority of the four days was spent finessing the new car’s balance and set-up on slick tyres while also putting background miles on the KERS device - which proved largely trouble-free during all four days. The team carried out the majority of its running using a hybrid-spec 2008 rear wing in order to more effectively simulate expected downforce loads and will bring a raft of new components to next month’s test, back in Jerez.
Christian Silk, Renault Chief Test Engineer
A very good day's testing. We've continued to make progress with the car and it ran well today which allowed us to get more mileage and check our reliability. We're continuing to make changes and the car is responding very well to those and so we've already found a good balance. Overall it's a positive end to the test for us.
Ian Morgan, Red Bull Head of Race Engineering
Apart from a few minor niggles, which are to be expected with a brand new car, this first test has produced pleasing results, RB5 proved to be generally reliable and its performance seems encouraging straight out of the box.
Sam Michael, Technical Director, Williams F1:
This week we had all three drivers working on aerodynamic and mechanical set-up optimisation while also evaluating tyres for Bridgestone. The main target at the moment is to improve the balance on slick tyres, something we are all learning about as quickly as possible. We completed all of the systems, reliability and aero checks that we set out to at the beginning of the week. We finished off the test with some pitstop practice work with the race team so they could get used to all of the new equipment, and to give the drivers an opportunity to get used to pitting on slicks. It's been a productive week and we are looking forward to the next test back here in Jerez in the first week of March.
At Bahrain, Kimi Raikkonen set the fastest time ahead of Jarno Trulli and Christian Klien.
Testing resumes at Bahrain next Monday.
Full Results
Rank Driver Team Best Laptime Total Laps
1 Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari 1:33.350 105
2 Christian Klien BMW Sauber 1:33.429 127
3 Jarno Trulli Toyota 1:33.666 125
Dieter Gass, Toyota Chief Engineer Race and Test said:
That was finally the kind of day that you expect when you go for winter testing in Bahrain. After the interruptions of the last two days, we enjoyed fine weather with perfect sunshine throughout the sessions. There was still some wind which made the comparisons harder, but we were able to get through a lot of laps. We looked at different tyres and some set-up development directions. It is not often that we get through two race distances in a day so that bodes well for our reliability.Overall it has been a positive end to the week.