time table: 1. F. Massa Mass Ferrari F2008 1:12.182 97 pit Pit 2. K. Räikkönen Ferrari F2008 1:12.721 +0.539 +0,539 106 pit Pit 3. N. Rosberg Williams FW30 1:12.838 +0.656 +0,656 84 pit Pit 4. H. Kovalainen McLaren MP4-23 1:13.026 +0.844 +0,844 104 pit Pit 5. P. de la Rosa De la Rosa McLaren MP4-23 1:13.163 +0.981 +0,981 114 pit Pit 6. F. Alonso Renault R28 1:13.316 +1.134 +1,134 93 pit Pit 7. K. Nakajima Williams FW29B 1:13.473 +1.291 +1,291 94 pit Pit 8. S. Vettel Toro Rosso Toro Rosso STR2 1:13.627 +1.445 +1,445 86 pit Pit 9. M. Asmer BMW Sauber BMW Sauber F1.07B 1:13.669 +1.487 +1,487 44 pit Pit 10. S. Bourdais Toro Rosso Toro Rosso STR2 1:13.675 +1.493 +1,493 80 pit Pit 11. N. Heidfeld BMW Sauber BMW Sauber F1.08 1:13.779 +1.597 +1,597 80 pit Pit 12. J. Trulli Toyota TF108 1:13.820 +1.638 +1,638 69 pit Pit 13. D. Coulthard Red Bull Racing Red Bull Racing RB3 1:13.944 +1.762 +1,762 82 pit Pit 14. T. Glock Toyota TF108 1:14.096 +1.914 +1,914 80 pit Pit 15. V. Liuzzi Force India India Force F8-VII 1:15.095 +2.913 +2,913 64 pit Pit 16. A. Wurz Honda RA107 1:15.440 +3.258 +3,258 49 pit Pit Info about Day 1 of Valencia Test. Notes from AFCA. - Massa set a 1:12.182. He was often trying to find out how good the F2008 is over one lap (using new tyres). This was one of Ferrari's problems last year but it seems to be solved, just like the problem of driving through slow corners and over high kerbstones. Raikkonen, being six tenths slower mainly concentrated on long runs. - McLaren was doing long runs as well and one of the development aims has been reached: the MP4-23 conserves the reartyres more than its predecessor. Meanwhile, Kovalainen had a new seat fitted in the car which made him feel much more comfortable: ''We've gone through our programe, without caring for Ferrari's times.'' - Rosberg is more or less the surprise of the day ending third. In the longruns he was as fast as the McLaren drivers. On average he lost out on Raikkonen by two tenths. Rosberg is happy: ''The new car is a clear improvement. I definately had more grip. We were able to do 84 laps without problems. That's a good starting basis.'' Michael expresses his enthusiasm also: ''It's been a long time since I've gone back to the factory with such a good feeling after testing.'' - At Renault things are relaxed and Alonso has indicated the car feels better than last years car straight away. Briatore indicates the R28 encounters little problems at his debut: ''The car is driving here in the same way as when it came out of the factory being put in the truck.'' - Heidfeld is complaining about balance problems in his F1.08. A driver's mistake ending up in the gravel confirms the problem. Despite the difficulties the German is optimistic: ''We know which things we have to address.'' - After an oil leak in the morning, Coulthard was only able to really drive the RB4 in the afternoon. First comments: ''Positive thing is that our weak point from last year - the gearbox - keeps up. But we still have to look for laptimes. I hope that we'll be faster than the Toro Rosso at the end of the week.'' - STR is still driving last year's car (with a number of aerodynamical modifications) but is solidly driving in the midfield. Vettel: ''Nothing is 'faked' in terms of fuellevels or anything.'' - Toyota is the team with the biggest problems. The car clearly has an aerodynamic problem, like last year. - Wednesday Barrichello will debut the new Honda, Brawn will be there.
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It's .041 sec off of the new BMW (M. Asmer was in last seasons car). How is it the team with the biggest problems? It's a totally brand new car for the team. It'll take some time for them to get up to speed with it. I for one don't think today's times are that bad. It's still just over a second (1.099) of Kimi who was just concentrating on long runs, I.E. normal testing.
Pretty cool pics. I must say; the Renault looks like an abstract sculpture, but an involved one. Good to see Rosberg and "money bags" Nakajima do so well in the Williams. Hope this is just not a flash in the pan. I know, I know ; "testing means squat" but its a good indicator.
...F1 cars are starting to look like insects...kinda like a Decepticon racer, what a bunch of wings and tip and antennas... ...I kinda like the Dark blue hue over at Williams, The renault looks like a multi layered sculpture out of Jello...
