Barcelona Test Day Two: Honda & Renault Try New Parts

As the second day of testing got underway in Spain today, Renault and Honda joined in with Ferrari in trying out some interesting new aero parts on their cars. Ferrari yesterday showed off their new nose to the public for the first time, and today Nelson Piquet Jr rolled out of his Renault garage with a Red Bull style fin on the engine cover. Honda got in on the act as well with the re-testing of their Dumbo ears, last seen at a test session in 2007. In fact, it was Rubens Barrichello who went fastest today, driving the updated RA108 and setting a lap time 0.8s quicker than Giancarlo Fisichella in the Force India.

Both Barrichello and Fisichella were on slick tyres when they set their fastest laps of the day, and were also running 2008 spec. cars, unlike many others who were running 2009 spec. cars ahead of the big change in regulations due for next season. Of the front-runners though, it was Felipe Massa who won the battle on day two, setting the third fastest lap, but the quickest on grooved rubber. Michael Schumacher is expected to take over from Massa tomorrow, returning to four-wheels after his jaunt on two, and the German world champion will be further evaluating the slick tyres on offer from Bridgestone.

All teams were represented with the exception of Scuderia Toro Rosso and Super Aguri. The Japanese team were known to not be attending largely due to financial reasons; the team is currently in the process of being sold. STR will arrive tomorrow with their new STR3, a derivative of the RB4 and making its public debut at Circuit de Catalunya. The car has already run at a private test with Brendon Hartley at the wheel. The test was held at Vairano in early April with only Ferrari sharing the track.