Barcelona day one - Sato sets test pace for Toro Rosso

[TheStig]

Former Super Aguri racer Takuma Sato made a triumphant return to Formula One testing, setting the fastest time for Toro Rosso at a packed Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona on Monday. Sato clocked a best of 1m 20.763s to beat Sebastian Buemi, also in action for the Italian squad, to the top slot by over three-tenths of a second.

In all 17 runners were in action over the course of the test’s opening day, which saw the nine teams in attendance kick start their 2009 programmes. With sunny and dry conditions at the Spanish track, most drivers enjoyed productive days.


Unofficial Monday times from Barcelona:

1. Takuma Sato, Toro Rosso, 1:20.763
2. Sebastian Buemi, Toro Rosso, 1:21.071
3. Alexander Wurz, Honda, 1:21.198
4. Pedro de la Rosa, McLaren, 1:21.417
5. Gary Paffett, McLaren, 1:21.956
6. Luca Badoer, Ferrari, 1:23.264
7. Robert Kubica, BMW Sauber, 1:22.341
8. Sebastian Loeb, Red Bull, 1:22.503
9. Nelson Piquet, Renault, 1:22.560
10. Christian Klien, BMW Sauber, 1:22.883
11. Nico Hulkenberg, Williams, 1:23.467
12. Vitantonio Liuzzi, Force India, 1:23.794
13. Adrian Sutil, Force India, 1:23.832
14. Marc Gene, Ferrari, 1:24.177
15. Bruno Senna, Honda, 1:24.343
16. Giedo van der Garde, Renault, 1:24.908
17. Lucas di Grassi, Honda, 1:25.512

http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2008/11/8718.html
TheStig