Sakhir Day 4 – Räikkönen first and free from the sand!

Ferrari driver, 2007 world champion, Kimi Räikkönen, clocked the fastest time of the day in Bahrain. The Finn finally got back on track after two days of sandstorms at the Sakhir circuit. He finished ahead of Trulli and Klien.

Three teams had decided to come and test this week in Bahrain in the Middle East, rather than on the Spanish track in Jerez, Spain. The goal was to have warm and mild weather to make up for the time lost in Portugal due to the rain. Unfortunately for these three teams, a sandstorm somewhat darkened the situation on Wednesday. No one had been able to take to the track since, raising the question of extending the tests, which were normally scheduled to end this Friday…

The fact remains that today, the weather didn’t seem to want to interfere. Ferrari, BMW, and Toyota were therefore able to get back to work with Räikkönen, Klien, and Trulli respectively.

Ferrari therefore ends the week on top, with Räikkönen replacing Massa this time. The Finn finishes 104 thousandths ahead of Trulli. The Italian completed a large number of laps, almost twice a Grand Prix, but he is not happy: « It was a good day of work, but the weather was not yet perfect! There was a lot of wind and a great deal of sand on the track, so there was little grip. It got better as the day went on, though. »

« In terms of performance, we found a good balance with the car. There is a lot of hope and I hope it will continue like this. »

Christian Klien was driving the BMW F1.09 for the first time. He completed the scheduled program for the day and is satisfied with his first laps. The Austrian will be able to continue discovering the F1.09 next week, again in Bahrain, and once more with Toyota and Ferrari for another four-day week.

Results of private tests Bahrain – Sakhir – Friday, February 13, 2009: