Spanish GP - Three hour test session
Montmelo, 8 May 2009
In common with most of the teams, Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro brought a significant aerodynamic update package to Barcelona, based partly on the planned development programme, partly on lessons learned from the first four races and partly from the FIA ruling in favour of the double diffuser run by a few teams right from the start of the season.
Up until this year, any new development on the car, no matter how small, would have been extensively tested on track, prior to validation as fit for purpose for a race weekend. However, with the in-season testing ban now in force, today’s three hours of free practice was effectively a short but very busy test session. So how well did the new elements work? The one statement of fact is that in terms of reliability, it was successful, with no problems affecting either F60s, which completed a high and trouble free mileage. Performance? That is always harder to judge for several reasons: a green track on Friday, different weather conditions to the last test here and the fact that the teams are free to run different fuel loads and both types of Bridgestone tyre. Nevertheless, both Kimi and Felipe had good things to say at the end of the day, stating they could feel a difference in performance with a general increase in downforce and grip. But as Felipe succinctly put it, “the other teams haven’t been standing around with their hands in their pockets.” So the key question as to how the Prancing Horse fits in the rankings, will have to wait until tomorrow afternoon’s qualifying session. In past races, just getting through to the third and final part of the session has proved problematic for Ferrari, so this is the first target for tomorrow.
Kimi ended the day in tenth place and Felipe was fifteenth, but neither man felt their positions meant much today. Topping the time sheet was a Williams-Toyota one-two, with Nico Rosberg ahead of Kazuki Nakajima. Popular with the Spanish crowd was a third place for Fernando Alonso and his Renault, while the most experienced man on the grid, Rubens Barrichello was fourth fastest for Brawn. Fifth was Mark Webber in the Red Bull-Renault, while championship leader and winner of three out of the four races so far, Jenson Button completed the top six in the other Brawn.
In common with most of the teams, Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro brought a significant aerodynamic update package to Barcelona, based partly on the planned development programme, partly on lessons learned from the first four races and partly from the FIA ruling in favour of the double diffuser run by a few teams right from the start of the season.
Up until this year, any new development on the car, no matter how small, would have been extensively tested on track, prior to validation as fit for purpose for a race weekend. However, with the in-season testing ban now in force, today’s three hours of free practice was effectively a short but very busy test session. So how well did the new elements work? The one statement of fact is that in terms of reliability, it was successful, with no problems affecting either F60s, which completed a high and trouble free mileage. Performance? That is always harder to judge for several reasons: a green track on Friday, different weather conditions to the last test here and the fact that the teams are free to run different fuel loads and both types of Bridgestone tyre. Nevertheless, both Kimi and Felipe had good things to say at the end of the day, stating they could feel a difference in performance with a general increase in downforce and grip. But as Felipe succinctly put it, “the other teams haven’t been standing around with their hands in their pockets.” So the key question as to how the Prancing Horse fits in the rankings, will have to wait until tomorrow afternoon’s qualifying session. In past races, just getting through to the third and final part of the session has proved problematic for Ferrari, so this is the first target for tomorrow.
Kimi ended the day in tenth place and Felipe was fifteenth, but neither man felt their positions meant much today. Topping the time sheet was a Williams-Toyota one-two, with Nico Rosberg ahead of Kazuki Nakajima. Popular with the Spanish crowd was a third place for Fernando Alonso and his Renault, while the most experienced man on the grid, Rubens Barrichello was fourth fastest for Brawn. Fifth was Mark Webber in the Red Bull-Renault, while championship leader and winner of three out of the four races so far, Jenson Button completed the top six in the other Brawn.
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