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Ferrari’s Felipe Massa set the pace today at the first inter-season test session at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya. With slick tyres bolted onto his car, the Brazilian driver managed to set a time 2.7s faster than second-placed Alex Wurz, also on slick tyres. The running of different boots is to enable Bridgestone to gain some insight into how the tyres behave, the smooth rubber potentially making making a comeback to Formula One next year. Only nine drivers took part today, but more are expected to be on track tomorrow and Wednesday. McLaren fielded Pedro De La Rosa, who also tore around Montmelo on slicks, but could only manage the third fastest lap of the day. Continue Reading

With Formula One on a three week break at the moment, the teams have descended on Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya to rack up some miles in their cars. This test session is often considered to be the season’s most important, as teams that didn’t start well in the first few races now have some time to improve their motors before the European leg begins. But what would happen if testing wasn’t allowed? Would Formula One be more or less exciting? Continue Reading

I’m not entirely sure how to write this post, but I will attempt at my very best to describe Ferrari’s recent innovation that will, it is hoped in Maranello, adorn the F2008 at some point this season. The component in question has been tested at Vairano last week with Marc Gene taking to the wheel of the Scuderia’s 2008 car. The circuit was shared, by the way, with Brendon Hartley, the New Zealander shaking down the brand new STR. Of course, the STR3 is a derivitive of the RB4, designed by Adrian Newey and hopefully built more solidly than the parent car. Anyway, back to Ferrari’s innovation… Continue Reading

Formula One teams will once again test slick tyres on their cars in April, a repeat of the tests carried out by all teams in December to allow Bridgestone to assess them on a modern F1 machine. Slicks haven’t been used in the sport since 1998 when the FIA decided to make the cars run on grooved tyres in a bid to reduce cornering speeds. Since then however, aerodynamic limitations have been imposed which in theory should do this and the result being a possible return to smooth rubber. Continue Reading

On the final day of testing before the 2008 season begins, Toyota’s Jarno Trulli has put in a surprising quick lap and ended the winter season at the top of the timing sheets. The pace of the TF108 has been questionable and the squad have been a little inconsistent in pre-season testing, but this result will certainly buoy the team as they pack everything and head to Australia. Trulli’s team mate Timo Glock finished his day in eleventh, some 1.3s shy of the Italian’s pace. Continue Reading

On a brighter day in the Catalan region of Spain, McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton took the fastest lap in testing for the second day in succession. His speed was compounded by team mate Heikki Kovalainen going second quickest as the pair outpaced Ferrari in their preparations for the season opener in Australia next month. McLaren were concentrating on qualifying and race simulations while evaluating new developments on the MP4-23. Kimi Raikkonen kept the pressure up though and went third just 0.3s shy of Kovalainen and over 0.6s ahead of fourth placed Nico Rosberg. Continue Reading

While testing yesterday around the notoriously bumpy Circuit de Catalunya, it appears that David Coulthard has picked up a minor injury in his neck. The Scot has apparently tweaked his neck and has since decided to rest in case the problem is further exacerbated. So while Coulthard sits on the sidelines Red Bull have drafted in Sebastian Vettel to help out with the team’s testing programme. Vettel, who drives for partner team Scuderia Toro Rosso, will see the benefits from testing with the Red Bull squad as it has been said that the new STR3 will be a direct derivative of the RB4. The new STR is due to be delivered to the team in time for the European season. Continue Reading

Lewis Hamilton put his McLaren MP4-23 at the top of the timing sheets on the day that saw Michael Schumacher and Kimi Raikkonen share the tarmac in equal equipment. The times were tight, with one second separating the top thirteen and the top half of the tables showing some interesting names. The track was damp in the morning, but unlike last week a dry line appeared relatively quickly and the teams were able to get some decent running in. Continue Reading

In his new role of developing Ferrari’s Formula One machines, seven-times champion Michael Schumacher will take control of the 2008 car next week at the final group test prior to the new season starting in March. Schumacher has been lying low recently, following his tests in the F2007 late last year. At that time the German demonstrated some handy skill, setting decent lap times and showed the world he still had some pace. Schumacher will take to the Barcelona track with reigning champion Kimi Raikkonen in the sister car on Monday, the first time both drivers have been on the same circuit in the same car. Schumacher will hand over the reins to Felipe Massa for Tuesday and Wednesday. Continue Reading

As Clive was so keen to point out earlier, Kazuki Nakajima has topped the timing sheets on the third and final day of testing at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya. Nakajima, a driver of only one race so far, set a time of 1m22.153s and beat not only his more experienced team mate Nico Rosberg, but also the Ferraris and McLarens. Both previous days of testing had been a wash out, but the Williams duo had looked quite strong this week with Rosberg topping out on the first day. However, on a finally dry track and with more teams running, Nakajima popped in a time when it mattered. Which according to Clive, shows his real pace and why many fans might be a little surprised by his form this upcoming season. Continue Reading