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Times tumble at Catalunya

An interesting incident heightened tension on the second day of the Barcelona test when officials were seen to remove banners showing anti-McLaren slogans during the running this morning, a move apparently instigated by the circuit director as a ‘preventative measure’, citing the need to show respect for competitors as incentive.

Large crowds of Alonso supporters have flocked to the tests in Spain this winter, and although banners have been generally humorous it would appear that these were considered offensive. Reports that Ron Dennis asked for their removal have not been confirmed.

With lap times tumbling into the 1:21’s as the teams paused for lunch – both Sebastien Bourdais and Sebastien Vettel in the Toro Rosso STR2, plus the BMW F1.08’s of Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica have ventured into that area – indications are that there is more pace to come from the 2008 specification cars.

BMW appear to have got on top of the balance problems that affected the multi-winged F1.08 at the earlier test, while Honda are slowly improving the hitherto unwieldy RA108.

Williams have strengthened the component that led to Kazuki Nakajima’s high speed accident yesterday, but Nico Rosberg has so far completed only a handful of laps, while Nelson Piquet Jnr trails team leader Fernando Alonso by a mere one thousandth of a second in the time sheets with the Renault R28.

Further detail to follow later on.

Written: Sat, 02 Feb 2008 12:38:20