GP – Free Practice 1: Ole, Ferrari is here!

Scuderia Ferrari marked the return of Formula 1 in the best possible way by setting the two fastest times in the first free practice session. Kimi Räikkönen, the reigning world champion, outpaced his teammate Felipe Massa on the Barcelona circuit in Spain. The Ferraris dominated the session with about a half-second advantage over their competitors.

The full F1 grid made its reappearance at the Circuit de Catalunya, just one week after last week’s private tests. The track is well known to the teams and especially to the drivers, most of whom have already honed their skills there. Consequently, few laps were completed during this session.

It took more than 25 minutes after the start of the session for an F1 car to make its appearance. It was Kazuki Nakajima, followed by the two McLarens. Hamilton set the first good reference time. However, the reigning vice-champion was quickly surpassed when Räikkönen and the Ferraris entered, significantly ahead this morning.

Under very mild weather conditions, the hierarchy is almost respected as the two Ferraris lead the McLarens, in 3rd and 5th place. Between Hamilton and Kovalainen, Kubica slots in with the first BMW. His teammate, Heidfeld, is 9th.

A lot is expected from the Renaults this weekend. First free practice session and first opinion: the diamond drivers are 6th and 7th, more than a second from the leader, but the R28 seems to have made progress.

Coulthard with Red Bull Renault and Honda with Jenson Button are also in the top 10.

The other team expected was the small Scuderia Toro Rosso. The team came to Spain with its STR03, and for its first official tests, the results are not promising. Bourdais and Vettel are in 19th and 20th place only.

There were few laps this morning, so few incidents to report. Massa went off the track twice. He also managed to add a spin to his record. Trulli caused another red flag with an off-track excursion at turn 10, without severity.

Finally, note that Super-Aguri, uncertain all week about participating in the first European GP of the season, was indeed present. The team only started working a few hours before the first session. Sato and Davidson are therefore at the very end of the pack but are among the most enduring.

Free Practice 1 Results – 2008 Spanish GP