UpdateF1 >> Formula 1 News > Barcelone test underway

Red Bull radical rear end

Formula One takes another step towards the new season today with the first day of running in a rare weekend test at Barcelona.

Ferrari and Toyota are absent as they are due to test in Bahrain next week, and Super Aguri will not be running as financial restrictions continue to hamper the team, but all eight remaining teams will be present in Spain.

Information we have tells us that Gary Paffett and Lewis Hamilton will drive McLaren MP4-23’s today, with Heikki Kovalainen due to join the Englishman for the following two days, and that Fernando Alonso and Nelson Piquet will continue development of the Renault R28.

BMW will have Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica on track in the F1.08, and STR both race drivers Sebastian Vettel and Sebastien Bourdais in the STR2B.

Surprise of the morning came from the Red Bull camp, where the RB4 appeared on track with a highly radical engine cover. Where most dip sharply towards the back, the Adrian Newey designed car features a version that continues at full height almost to the point of the rear wing.

UpdateF1 will bring you further details later in the day.

Written: Fri, 01 Feb 2008 10:17:56