Barcelona Day 2 – Räikkönen on Top Despite a Failing KERS

Kimi Räikkönen was the fastest today for Ferrari during the second testing session in Barcelona, setting a best time of 1:20.314 on his 35th lap.

The Finn beats the fastest time from the previous day held by Nick Heidfeld by a few thousandths (1:20.338). His program was hampered by the onset of a problem with the KERS.

Kazuki Nakajima was in the rhythm with his Williams team, just six-tenths off Räikkönen’s time and nearly two seconds faster than yesterday.

After a long winter of waiting for the sale of the Honda team, Rubens Barrichello was back behind the wheel of an F1 car for the first time since the 2008 Brazilian Grand Prix. Armed with the new Mercedes-powered BGP001, the Brazilian came to a stop on the track early in the day but was able to quickly resume his testing program. He completed 111 laps in the new single-seater and recorded the third-fastest time of the day.

« First of all, I want to thank everyone at Brackley for what we are achieving right now. After a long wait of four months, I am so happy to find a car so reliable right from the moment it leaves the factory. »

Secondly, I am happy with my physical condition which allowed me to complete 111 laps on my first day of testing. As we try to make up for lost time, covering as many kilometers as possible is essential before the first race. I am pleased to have made a good start, I just hope we maintain this level until the end of the week and in Jerez next week, said Barrichello.

Jarno Trulli finished fourth in this session with his TF109.

« Today was my last day of winter testing. We did a lot of laps again, including some long runs. So we have finalized our preparation for Melbourne. »

« It is clear that many things will be revealed in Australia, but I am happy with our work during the tests. The car was competitive and consistent to participate in the first race with confidence. I feel ready, » admitted Trulli.

The Italian is followed by Mark Webber, who lost time in the morning when his Red Bull was stalled on the track.

After a pit stop, the Australian was able to return to the track with a shark fin-type wing that wasn’t there yesterday.

Nick Heidfeld was once again on call for BMW-Sauber. The F1.09 was also equipped with a shark fin. The car looks more and more like the one used for Melbourne. The German team is adopting the same strategy as last season. Heidfeld clocked the sixth fastest time ahead of Adrian Sutil for Force India.

After just one day in the car, Nelson Piquet made way for Fernando Alonso. The former world champion recorded the seventh fastest time today.

Heikki Kovalainen was still on track for McLaren-Mercedes. The team completed a race simulation including pit stops to best prepare for the Australian Grand Prix.

« We have a busy program this week in Barcelona, » said McLaren Racing’s CEO Jonathan Neale. « Not only have we introduced a new series of aerodynamic components on the MP4-24. We have also worked on the car’s setup and balance for long races. Lastly, we have rehearsed our pit stop procedure. »

« It was two very productive days with Heikki and we hope to do the same with Lewis starting tomorrow.

Always with a paint mark on the MP4-24 to visualize the airflow, the Finn is thus ninth ahead of Sébastien Bourdais, who came to a stop on the circuit with the new STR4 from Toro Rosso.

Bourdais will only do 14 timed laps during the day while his teammate Sebastien Buemi completed a few shakedown laps in the STR4 without recording any time.

Testing will of course continue tomorrow for the penultimate day of trials.

Private Test Results Spain – Barcelona – Tuesday, March 10, 2009: