For most Formula 1 teams, the series of four winter test sessions ended today, Friday at Circuit de Catalunya near Barcelona in Spain with Michael Schumacher on top of the timing sheets.
It was cloudy and dry in the morning, with some sunshine in the afternoon.
Schumacher completed the majority of the Mercedes GP's programme. The team added further new aerodynamic parts to its upgrade package today. His programme focused on aerodynamic evaluations and qualifying exercises.
Schumacher set the fastest time of the day, 1:21.268, during a qualifying simulation. His teammate Nico Rosberg took over the car at 4pm to experience the new developments on a dry track, ahead of expected rain tomorrow. Rosberg set the third fastest time of the day, despite completing just 22 laps of the circuit.
Fernando Alonso was at the wheel of the Ferrari 150° Italia. He set the second time of the day. Alonso ran an identical programme to the one brought to a close yesterday by his teammate, Felipe Massa, which centred mainly on a comparison of various aerodynamic elements and then on a race weekend simulation.
Nick Heidfeld was fourth in the Lotus Renault GP car. Running high fuel levels allowed Heidfeld to improve his understanding of the Pirelli tires - maximising lap time while looking after the tires. The data also confirms the R31 is nicely balanced in terms of tire wear, with both the front and rears wearing at a similar rate.
For the afternoon the team had planned a race distance, but unfortunately the mechanics had to change the gearbox at lunchtime. In the end, Renault opted to do a very long run on high fuel.
 |
| Fernando Alonso, Ferrari (Photo: WRI2) |
It was cloudy and dry in the morning, with some sunshine in the afternoon.
Schumacher completed the majority of the Mercedes GP's programme. The team added further new aerodynamic parts to its upgrade package today. His programme focused on aerodynamic evaluations and qualifying exercises.
Schumacher set the fastest time of the day, 1:21.268, during a qualifying simulation. His teammate Nico Rosberg took over the car at 4pm to experience the new developments on a dry track, ahead of expected rain tomorrow. Rosberg set the third fastest time of the day, despite completing just 22 laps of the circuit.
Fernando Alonso was at the wheel of the Ferrari 150° Italia. He set the second time of the day. Alonso ran an identical programme to the one brought to a close yesterday by his teammate, Felipe Massa, which centred mainly on a comparison of various aerodynamic elements and then on a race weekend simulation.
Nick Heidfeld was fourth in the Lotus Renault GP car. Running high fuel levels allowed Heidfeld to improve his understanding of the Pirelli tires - maximising lap time while looking after the tires. The data also confirms the R31 is nicely balanced in terms of tire wear, with both the front and rears wearing at a similar rate.
For the afternoon the team had planned a race distance, but unfortunately the mechanics had to change the gearbox at lunchtime. In the end, Renault opted to do a very long run on high fuel.
 |
| Nick Heidfeld, Lotus Renault GP (Photo: WRI2) |