Jerez – Day 1 – The F2008s take the lead

Ferrari, after unveiling its single-seater, the F2008, in Maranello last week, showed today that it can still fight for the title this season. Kimi Räikkönen was the fastest, ahead of his teammate Felipe Massa by three-tenths.

The Italian team with the F2008 indeed dominated the first day of private testing in Jerez (South of Spain), where 9 teams were present.

With 59 laps completed, the young world champion is the second most enduring of the day. Jarno Trulli spent the longest time on the track with 89 laps at the wheel of the new TF108.

Of the top five single-seaters, four are 2008 versions. Pedro de la Rosa is indeed in third place. The Spaniard was already testing with his teammates last week on the same circuit and is ahead of the very surprising Toro Rosso of Sebastian Vettel, who is squeezing in among the leaders.

Heikki Kovalainen with his new team is 5th. He also tested the MP4/23 last Thursday on the Spanish circuit.

« The only problem encountered was the weather. » stated the Finn due to the track’s moisture. « As a result, we had to cancel our GP simulation program… »

« The only thing that has changed (from the previous test) is my position in the car. I am sitting much lower than before, which I am not used to, but otherwise, the reliability is good. »

His teammate, Pedro de La Rosa, is also pleased with his afternoon, as the team decided to run only at the end of the morning.

The single-seater is very similar to last year’s. Many parts still need to arrive to have the definitive Mp4/23. As a result, reliability is good but above all, it is easy to drive.

« Tomorrow’s goal will be to achieve a very long stint in order to test reliability a bit more. » concluded the McLaren test driver.

In sixth place we find the former Champcar champion. Sébastien Bourdais in the Toro Rosso had a good session and is ahead of the Williams FW29 (a hybrid of the FW28) driven by Nico Rosberg. It sported new colors on the occasion of Williams’ 30th anniversary in GP.

The other team to unveil their new car was Toyota. With Jarno Trulli, the Japanese team placed the TF108 in 8th position, while his teammate – Timo Glock, with a TF107, is second to last.

« Everything went well, » declared Trulli. « The car is reliable and I am happy to have finally been able to try it! »

Further down the rankings, Piquet, the only Renault driver present, sets the 9th fastest time, ahead of the same engines, those of Red Bull. Coulthard is 10th with an upgraded RB3. He is ahead of Force India’s new tester, Vitantonio Liuzzi.

James Rossiter is in last place with only 10 laps covered and many problems with his Super-Aguri. He is responsible for one of the 8 red flags deployed, mainly due to the difficult track conditions. It only dried around 1:30 PM.

Day 1 – Jerez 2008