Vettel fastest as testing resumes

[John S]

 

An impressive gap as Vettel sets the Red Bull pace
 
After a brief respite, the pre-season testing programme resumed today at Jerez in Spain with all but Toro Rosso and Honda in action.

The day was notable not just for the debut of the new Force India Mercedes VJM02 package with Giancarlo Fisichella behind the wheel, but also because of the high number of mechanical failures and subsequent red flag periods.

With the majority of those in action coasting to a halt at one point or another, the teams requested an extension to the 5pm local time cut-off, only to be denied. In addition, a rain shower at 2.30pm local time also complicated matters a little for the eight teams present.

New Red Bull recruit Sebastian Vettel set the pace in the new RB4 package with a best time of 1:19.055s, but the German youngster lost time with a Renault engine failure. Still, Vettel managed a respectable 87 laps of the 4.428km Spanish test venue and was a massive 1.3 seconds clear of Felipe Massa in the Ferrari F60, who also lost time after taking to a gravel trap.

Kamui Kobayashi was in action for the Toyota team – who like Ferrari and BMW Sauber are readjusting to the cooler European climate after nearly two weeks in Bahrain - and the German-based team seem to be having a relatively strong build up to the new season with the new TF109. Kobayashi posted the third fastest time ahead of Williams Toyota driver Nico Rosberg who was another driver forced to a halt with a mechanical problem in the newly liveried FW31.

Robert Kubica was fifth fastest in his BMW Sauber ahead of Fisichella in the new Mercedes-powered VJM02. 
 
The Italian veteran was however only able to complete 31 laps in the new machine, his fastest lap coming on his 22nd of the day.

Pedro de la Rosa completed the most laps of the day – 94 – but was forced to end his session a little prematurely when his McLaren Mercedes ground to a halt late in the session. The Spanish tester was seventh best on the day ahead of Nelson Piquet who also brought out the red flags late in the day as his Renault came to a halt on track.

Testing continues at Jerez on Monday.

Jerez - 01/03/2009
1 . S. Vettel - Red Bull Renault RB5 - 1:19.055 (+ 0.000 ) - 87 laps
2 . F. Massa - Ferrari F60 - 1:20.330 (+ 1.275 ) - 63 laps
3 . K. Kobayashi - Toyota TF109 - 1:20.699 (+ 1.644 ) - 79 laps
4 . N. Rosberg - Williams Toyota FW31 - 1:21.171 (+ 2.116 ) - 71 laps
5 . R. Kubica - BMW Sauber F1.09 - 1:21.292 (+ 2.237 ) - 47 laps
6 . G. Fisichella - Force India Mercedes VJM02 - 1:21.584 (+ 2.529 ) - 31 laps
7 . P. de la Rosa - McLaren Mercedes MP4-24 - 1:21.831 (+ 2.776 ) - 94 laps
8 . N. Piquet - Renault R29 - 1:22.011 (+ 2.956 ) - 52 laps.

Earl ALEXANDER
© CAPSIS International
 
 
 

[Scott]

Wow, Vettel is a full second ahead of Massa (I wonder what sort of Portuguese cursing was going on in the Ferrari garage later), and a full two seconds ahead of Rosberg who incidentally is once again (yawn) threatening Williams that he won't renew if he doesn't have a contender this year. 

Do you think Newey has perhaps put together a winning car this year?  I don't think anyone can get close to him in creativity, so maybe he's found something in the new reg's that nobody else has.

Flipped the calendar to March today and there it was, March 26th! 
 

[FW14B]

Nico can threaten all he wants.  Williams are not exactly going to go out of their way to placate him.  A fast car is good for the team, not just the driver.  The Williams way is more about the team than a driver, hence previous treatment of title winning drivers!  Anyway, he goes, and another Nico will just go into his seat.

As for the time, Vettel's time was very impressive!  I wouldn't be surprised if the Red Bull is a winner this year.  I would like to see Vettel have a great season and aside from the Williams team, he is my current favourite driver. 

[Alianora La Canta]

The Force India looks like it will be quick when they figure out how to fix the fuel pressurisation system (which has broken twice in two days).