Barcelona – Day 2 – McLaren wins the 2nd round

The young Briton Lewis Hamilton was once again the fastest today in Barcelona (Spain) during the second day of testing in the final week of pre-season tests. On the MP4/23, the current vice-world champion leads a McLaren one-two, as Heikki Kovalainen follows him by exactly two-tenths. Ferrari is once again slower.

In third position, we indeed find Kimi Räikkönen, the reigning world champion. However, he is outpaced by nearly half a second by Hamilton’s McLaren with his Ferrari F2008. (Fuel load, of course, remains unknown…)

Williams seems increasingly competitive and once again takes part in the Top 5 with Nico Rosberg’s 4th place. His teammate, Nakajima, is 11th in the second FW30.

Massa (Ferrari) finishes in the top 5 ahead of an incredible Force India VJM01. The car has only been tested since yesterday by the new team, and Fisichella manages to place it in 6th place today, giving great hope to the Indian brand. To confirm the form of the VJM01, Liuzzi takes a place in the top 10, more than a second and a half, however, behind Hamilton.

Vettel, who was driving for Red Bull exceptionally today, ensuring the replacement of the injured David Coulthard, achieved the 7th best performance of the day. He was ahead of Kubica (BMW) and Button, ninth, in the Honda, who finally returns to the top 10.

Disappointing, the new Renault did not shine in its form today. Alonso is indeed only 13th with the R28, while Piquet is second to last (18th).

Finally, seven red flags were reported for this penultimate day of pre-season testing. The two McLarens and Räikkönen stopped at the side of the track in the morning, Fisichella spun shortly before the lunch break, while BMW encountered problems once again with the F1.08. Kubica stopped twice, while Heidfeld hasn’t made it into the top 10 for six test days.

Barcelona Private Testing – Day 2 – 02/26/2008

* **Read Vettel (Toro Rosso) replaces Coulthard (Red Bull)**