UpdateF1 >> Formula 1 News > Testing begins in Spain

New spec wings and slicks

The 2009 Formula One season kicks off in earnest today with a well attended test at Barcelona that lasts for the next three days.

With teams running a selection of modified 2008 chassis, a number of which will be running with 2009 specification wings and the new slick tyres, any times will be largely irrelevant until we get into the later stages of the winter programme.

Scheduled to run in Spain today are the following combinations:

Luca Badoer – Ferrari

Pedro de la Rosa/Gary Paffett – McLaren-Mercedes

Robert Kubica/Christian Klien – BMW-Sauber

Sebastien Loeb – Red Bull

Nelson Piquet/Giedo van der Garde – Renault

Nico Hulkenberg – Williams

Sebastien Buemi/Takuma Sato – STR

Adrian Sutil – Force India

Lucas di Grassi/Bruno Senna/Alex Wurz – Honda

We have no news on Toyota, who appear to be absent on day one and are scheduled to run in Bahrain in the imminent future. Any changes will be notified in due course.

The test is noticeable for the appearance of Sebastien Loeb – the World Rally superstar – in the Red Bull, and for the drivers in place at both Honda and STR, all of whom – bar Wurz – are in contention for 2009 race drives.
will

Written: Mon, 17 Nov 2008 10:16:51