On the third and final day of testing at Spain’s Circuit de Catalunya, Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull Racing has once again gone to the top of the class with his second successive fastest lap. The young German pilot managed a time 0.6s quicker than his fastest from Tuesday, while former team mate Sebastien Bourdais managed second fastest in the Scuderia Toro Rosso. Sebastien Buemi managed third fastest, once again looking fairly confident behind the wheel and lapping 0.3s behind the French pilot. All three drivers were running only slightly modified 2008 cars, while Gary Paffett in fourth was running a KERS system in his McLaren MP4-23.
Christian Klien and Nick Heidfeld were out in force for BMW, evaluating the interim F1.08 with narrow rear wing and larger front wing. The pair lapped closely together, only separated by 0.058s in sixth and seventh, the test driver getting the better of the full-time driver. Jenson Button impressed with fifth overall, while Bruno Senna also did well, ending his day in eighth and within 0.3s of the Briton.
McLaren, Renault, Williams and Ferrari only fielded one car today, although McLaren’s lack of second car can be put down to regular tester Pedro De La Rosa taking control of a Force India VJM01 for the second day in succession. De La Rosa is apparently offering feedback to the outfit in preparation of the alliance between the two teams and the Mercedes engine plant. Both Force Indias finished at the bottom of the tables again, Giancarlo Fisichella ending his day in twelfth and 0.017s ahead of the team’s Spanish guest.
Barcelona Test
|
Lap Time
|
Laps Set
|
|
| 1. |  Sebastian Vettel Red Bull Racing |
1m19.295s | 75 Laps |
| 2. |  Sebastien Bourdais Scuderia Toro Rosso |
1m19.839s | 122 Laps |
| 3. |  Sebastien Buemi Scuderia Toro Rosso |
1m20.154s | 115 Laps |
| 4. |  Gary Paffett McLaren |
1m21.140s | 81 Laps |
| 5. | Jenson Button Honda |
1m21.387s | 94 Laps |
| 6. |  Christian Klien BMW |
1m21.534s | 88 Laps |
| 7. | Nick Heidfeld BMW |
1m21.592s | 106 Laps |
| 8. |  Bruno Senna Honda |
1m21.676s | 107 Laps |
| 9. | Nelson Piquet Jr. Renault |
1m22.148s | 94 Laps |
| 10. | Nico Hulkenberg Williams |
1m22.410s | 52 Laps |
| 11. |  Luca Badoer Ferrari |
1m22.866s | 120 Laps |
| 12. | Giancarlo Fisichella Force India |
1m23.086s | 93 Laps |
| 13. |  Pedro De La Rosa Force India |
1m23.103s | 88 Laps |
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