Two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso and Team Renault F1 topped the timesheets on the third day of testing at Barcelona this week.
Today was Alonso's second days in succession at the wheel of the R28. The Spaniard set his fastest time shortly before the lunch break, using a set of slick tires.
"The day has been good and I was happy with the developments to the car," he said. "But we still need to keep improving because it seems that our competitors have also improved and so it is still difficult to say how we really compare with them. We have to wait until next week to get a full picture of where we stand. It was fun to try the slick tires, which gave very good grip."
Michael Schumacher again returned to the cockpit of a Formula 1 car and set the second fastest time of the day for Ferrari.
He spent the day sampling different types of Bridgestone slick tyres in a version of the F2008 that had been modified to simulate the level of downforce expected next season.
German driver Adrian Sutil continued Force India's improved form with the third best time of the day, set on slicks using the 2008 aero package, after losing time in the morning with a clutch problem.
However, Lewis Hamilton, Mark Webber, Jarno Trulli, and Sébastien Bourdais all remained on grooved tires all day long.
Bourdais crashed hard at Turn 9 with the new Toro Rosso STR3. The car will not be ready for tomorrow's final day of testing, a problem that will delay the development of the new car.
Times, Wednesday April 16:
DRIVERTEAMBESTLAPS
1ALONSOING Renault F1 Team1 :18.483100
2SCHUMACHERFerrari1 :19.32383
3SUTILForce India1 :19.424102
4KUBICABMW1 :19.785112
5ROSBERGWilliams1 :19.84165
6BARRICHELLOHonda1 :19.920141
7HAMILTONMcLaren1 :20.591102
8BOURDAISToro Rosso1 :20.71571
9WEBBERRed Bull Racing1 :20.84987
10TRULLIToyota1 :20.86790
All times unofficial
Today was Alonso's second days in succession at the wheel of the R28. The Spaniard set his fastest time shortly before the lunch break, using a set of slick tires.
"The day has been good and I was happy with the developments to the car," he said. "But we still need to keep improving because it seems that our competitors have also improved and so it is still difficult to say how we really compare with them. We have to wait until next week to get a full picture of where we stand. It was fun to try the slick tires, which gave very good grip."
Michael Schumacher again returned to the cockpit of a Formula 1 car and set the second fastest time of the day for Ferrari.
He spent the day sampling different types of Bridgestone slick tyres in a version of the F2008 that had been modified to simulate the level of downforce expected next season.
German driver Adrian Sutil continued Force India's improved form with the third best time of the day, set on slicks using the 2008 aero package, after losing time in the morning with a clutch problem.
However, Lewis Hamilton, Mark Webber, Jarno Trulli, and Sébastien Bourdais all remained on grooved tires all day long.
Bourdais crashed hard at Turn 9 with the new Toro Rosso STR3. The car will not be ready for tomorrow's final day of testing, a problem that will delay the development of the new car.
Times, Wednesday April 16:
DRIVERTEAMBESTLAPS
1ALONSOING Renault F1 Team1 :18.483100
2SCHUMACHERFerrari1 :19.32383
3SUTILForce India1 :19.424102
4KUBICABMW1 :19.785112
5ROSBERGWilliams1 :19.84165
6BARRICHELLOHonda1 :19.920141
7HAMILTONMcLaren1 :20.591102
8BOURDAISToro Rosso1 :20.71571
9WEBBERRed Bull Racing1 :20.84987
10TRULLIToyota1 :20.86790
All times unofficial