Toyota concluded its 2008 tests in Bahrain this week

Toyota offered a test session this week to an 18-year-old driver, Italian Andrea Caldarelli. It took place at the Bahrain circuit where the team was this week.

Caldarelli has been a member of Toyota’s young driver program since 2007. He finished third this season in the Eurocup in Formula Renault.

He completed 128 laps on Monday and Tuesday at the wheel of the TF108, achieving a best time of 1:33.170. For comparison, earlier this year at the Bahrain Grand Prix, Jarno Trulli’s best race lap was 1:34.204. During qualifying, with an empty fuel tank (Q2), his time was 1:32.159.

« It was a great experience for me and I really liked it, » said Caldarelli. « I had the chance to test a Formula 1 car at 18. It was a fabulous opportunity and I am determined to do more. »

« The TF108 is on a different level than my usual car. The power is incredible, but so are the brakes. It takes a few laps and a few turns to get used to it. I think I did a good job considering the novelty effect, » he added.

« I would like to thank Panasonic Toyota Racing for giving me this opportunity. This experience gives me extra motivation to work as hard as possible with the goal of perhaps one day having Formula 1 as a reward.

Timo Glock was also testing this week. He analyzed the new Bridgestone slick tires with a low level of downforce. The work also focused on the development of the KERS. The team will test it on track for the first time in January.

Glock completed 258 laps during the week with a best time of 1.32.090. The team’s test driver, Kamui Kobayashi, completed the final authorized test kilometers by executing 33 laps yesterday, Wednesday, December 17.