Button on non-groove slick tyres
BMW Sauber’s Nick Heidfeld lead the field on the opening day of testing at Jerez on Tuesday. Heidfeld clocked his best lap on non-grooved tyres, as Bridgestone began an early evaluation of slicks ahead of their possible return in 2009.
The second fastest driver on the field was Jenson Button, who was one-tenth slower than Heidfeld. Button did impress the new team principal as Ross Brawn was on there to witness his performance.
McLaren’s Pedro de la Rosa was the quickest man on grooved tyres, around six-tenths off the pace in third. Follow by 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen almost a second slower than the leader.
Sebastien Bourdais on Toro Rosso did a great job by clocking sixth fastest.
Most of the driver and team are concentrating on electronics and driving with no traction control in preparation for the 2008 season.
Unofficial Tuesday times from Jerez:
1. Nick Heidfeld, BMW Sauber, 1:19.042
2. Jenson Button, Honda, 1:19.155
3. Pedro de la Rosa, McLaren, 1:19.712
4. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari, 1:20.063
5. Nelson Piquet Jr, Renault, 1:20.366
6. Sebastien Bourdais, Toro Rosso, 1:20.615
7. Gary Paffett, McLaren, 1:20.638
8. Mark Webber, Red Bull, 1:20.682
9. Marc Gene, Ferrari, 1:20.832
10. Mike Conway, Honda, 1:20.927
11. Sebastian Vettel, Toro Rosso, 1:21.060
12. James Rossiter, Super Aguri, 1:21.246
13. Timo Glock, Toyota, 1:21.336
14. Giancarlo Fisichella, Force India, 1:21.424
15. Nico Hulkenberg, Williams, 1:21.551
16. Franck Montagny, Force India, 1:21.559
17. Kazuki Nakajima, Williams, 1:21.566
18. Marko Asmer, BMW Sauber, 1:21.962
19. Kamui Kobayashi, Toyota, 1:22.196
Detail report: http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2007/12/7152.html
Filed under: F1 | Tagged: Jenson Button, jerez, Kimi Raikkonen, Nick Heidfeld, non-grooved tyres, Pedro de la Rosa, Sebastien Bourdais, Testing, Traction Control
Hamilton ended fastest I think, with Coulthard in second. Interesting to see Piquet ending up sixth too – all very intriguing early on.
Yeah, but that will be day 2 result.