Jerez Testing

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Jerez.svg

Testing in Jerez Spain has marked now marked 8 days of total driving over 2 separate sessions. Unlike in Valencia where Ferrari dominated the whole testing period, in both sessions this time out the winners were spread far and wide between last year's world champion driver (Jenson Button) and one of last year's bottom ranking ranking drivers (Jaime Alguersuari). The track that all this has taken place on is Circuito Permanente de Jerez, a 13 turn circuit.

On the first set of testing in Jerez there has been a wide variety of winners, with one day of testing taking place in the rain. Throughout the course of the weekend the only team or driver to remain consistant in the top three was Jaime Algersuari and Torro Rosso. Here are the top times for session 1:
Day 1: Nico Rosberg, Mercedes GP, 1:20.927, 57 Laps
Day 2: Kamui Kobayashi, BMW Sauber, 1:19.950, 103 Laps
Day 3: Jaime Alguersuari, Toro Rosso, 1:19.919, 76 Laps
Day 4: Lewis Hamilton, McLaren, 1:19.583, 113 Laps


The second session of driving was dominated by last years runner-up in the constructors championship (Red Bull Racing). With the other two top drivers being last years one and two for the World Championship who now race for seperate teams (Rubens Barrichello, Jenson Button). Making this second and final session of testing in Jerez to appear more as a review of last year's top drivers. Here are the top times for session 2:
Day 1:Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull, 1:22.593, 104 Laps
Day 2:Rubens Barrichello, Williams, 1:27.145, 98 Laps
Day 3:Mark Webber, Red Bull, 1:19.299, 115 Laps
Day 4:Jenson Button, McLaren, 1:18.871, 108 Laps

Valencia Testing

The first set of multi-team test have been completed in Valencia this week. It is the first official set of testing on the Formula 1 calender and it did provide some very interesting fore shadowing as to what may happen in the upcoming season. Granted that not all teams were present at this race, it did provide hope for one team.


Ricardo Tormo Track in Valencia. Image source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Valencia_%28Ricardo_Tormo%29_track_map.svg


That team being,Ferrari. A team that finished fourth overall last year and 100 points behind Brawn GP in the constructors championship. Also having to endure the injury of their number one drive (Felipe Masa) last year as well. But with the rehabilitation complete and a new driver and former World Champion (Fernando Alonso) added to the mix, Ferrari posted some very impressive times.

Day 1: 1:12.574 (Masa)
Day 2: 1:11.722 (Masa)
Day 3: 1:11.470 (Alonso)

Ferrari finished as the fastest overall for the whole weekend on this track, and shows that they can still get it done. Other notable teams are McLaren and Mercedes who also put up impressive numbers this weekend. In the first preview of Formula 1 testing here in Valencia