Jerez – Day 4: Vettel puts the Toro Rosso on top!

Sebastian Vettel delivered a great performance today in Jerez, winning on the final day of the 2007 season’s private tests. The young Toro Rosso driver edged out Robert Kubica of BMW by two-tenths and Nico Rosberg in the Williams.

The German truly dominated in the afternoon by fitting Bridgestone’s experimental slick tires. These will be re-authorized starting in 2009.

Kubica was in the lead at midday and with 109 laps, the leading driver yesterday was the most enduring during this 4th day.

Mickael Schumacher was back on track with Ferrari. The seven-time world champion took the fourth-best time, more than three-tenths behind his compatriot Rosberg. However, both drivers didn’t have a very simple session today. Schumacher, despite slick tires, had difficulties in the morning, just like Rosberg who lost a good hour for an undetermined reason.

With four drivers in the top six, Germany is the best-represented country today.

Nakajima in the second Williams concludes the week in the top 5, with interesting progress for Sir Frank Williams’ team.

Timo Glock is the lead Toyota driver and outpaces his teammate for the second consecutive time as Trulli finishes 9th, just a tenth behind but on slicks.

« We tried to do a lot of things today and the result is not bad, » declared Trulli.

« We conducted tests with the slicks as well as the aerodynamic downforce allowed for the 2009 season, which will only be 30%. The result is good for the tires, which are more adhesive, but the low downforce is more complicated… »

« We also did as many laps as possible. This is our main goal and it will allow us to test the new ECU unit, » concluded the Italian.

Massa and Bourdais slot in between the two Japanese cars, separated by just 33 thousandths, with the Ferrari driver achieving a superb time of 1’20″000…

Coulthard, lacking performance this week, concludes the top 10 out of 15 cars, ahead of the two Super-Aguri of Davidson and Sato.

Marko Asmer continued his tests for BMW, perhaps hoping to secure a test driver seat left vacant by Glock. The Estonian performed admirably despite causing a red flag late in the morning due to an off-track excursion without serious consequences.

Finally, the two Force India cars conclude the timesheet. It was Van der Garde and Rodriguez’s turn to be tested today.

« The week has been very fruitful for the team, » admitted Vijay Mallya, director of Force India.

« Not only have we shown that we interested many pilots, but especially because our performances really motivated the troops… »

The next private tests will already take place in 2008.

Jerez Testing – Day 4 – Result