Barcelona Test Day One: STR Hopefuls Top Tables

Testing re-commenced earlier today at the Barcelona track, Circuit de Catalunya. It was the first test since the Brazilian Grand Prix finale at the beginning of November, and a lot of teams were running new technology due to be implemented for the 2009 campaign. BMW rolled out a concept of the F1.09, complete with skinny rear wing, larger front wing as well as KERS and no aerodynamic features on the bodywork. The car was pretty ugly, but this is the future of Formula One, and both Christian Klien and Robert Kubica were given a chance to drive the new machine.

It was Scuderia Toro Rosso hopeful Takuma Sato that set the pace, driving an old STR3 but with slick tyres, and beating fellow hopeful Sebastien Buemi in the sister car. Experienced test driver Alex Wurz wound up third after a full days running, driving a modified Honda RA108. Pedro De La Rosa tested McLaren’s KERS system, while Gary Paffett had added ballast to simulate the weight of the system in his MP4-23. Luca Badoer also carried extra ballast to simulate running the KERS system, and along with Marc Gene, were down in the tables.

Honda also evaluated Bruno Senna and Lucas Di Grassi in the RA108, allowing both drivers a chance to run around the Catalan circuit. Red Bull Racing let world rally champion Sebastien Loeb loose in an RB3, and Giedo Van Der Garde was also allowed to test, having recently signed a contract with the Enstone-based squad. Unfortunately, Van Der Garde’s run was brought to an early end when crashed after just 27 laps. Force India ran Adrian Sutil and test driver Vitantonio Liuzzi, and Williams allowed Nico Hulkenberg out in a 2009-spec. FW30. Hulkenberg caused a red flag when he stopped on track, similarly to Robert Kubica who suffered minor problems, resulting in a third red flag of the day.

Barcelona Test Day One Results Table		Lap Time Fastest Time Set	Laps Set Number Laps Set
1.	Takuma Sato Scuderia Toro Rosso	1m20.763s	121 Laps
2.	Sebastien Buemi Scuderia Toro Rosso	1m21.071s	117 Laps
3.	Alex Wurz Honda	1m21.198s	77 Laps
4.	Pedro De La Rosa McLaren	1m21.417s	65 Laps
5.	Gary Paffett McLaren	1m22.235s	47 Laps
6.	Robert Kubica BMW	1m22.341s	56 Laps
7.	Sebastien Loeb Red Bull Racing	1m22.503s	82 Laps
8.	Nelson Piquet Jr. Renault	1m22.560s	80 Laps
9.	Christian Klien BMW	1m22.883s	53 Laps
10.	Nico Hulkenberg Williams	1m23.467s	116 Laps
11.	Luca Badoer Ferrari	1m23.515s	108 Laps
12.	Vitantonio Liuzzi Force India	1m23.794s	86 Laps
13.	Adrian Sutil Force India	1m23.832s	88 Laps
14.	Bruno Senna Honda	1m24.342s	39 Laps
15.	Marc Gene Ferrari	1m24.521s	33 Laps
16.	Giedo Van Der Garde Renault	1m24.908s	27 Laps
17.	Lucas Di Grassi Honda	1m25.512s	48 Laps