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On-track
preparations for the 2008 season begin in earnest on
today as the Formula One teams resumed testing with a
three-day session at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya in
Spain.
All 11 F1 teams are expected in action during the test
and although it’s too early for the debut of any 2008
machines, the engineers and drivers will be busy working
on two of the key rule changes for next season - the
banning of traction control and the obligatory use of a
standard ECU to control their cars’ engine electronics.
Scuderia
Ferrari Marlboro returned to the track today at
Barcelona for the first time since clinching the F1
World Championship in Brazil to begin three days of
track testing this week. The two Ferrari drivers running
at the Catalunya Circuit, Luca Badoer and Michael
Schumacher, worked mainly on the electronics of the
F2007 and on development of new components aimed at next
season.
Attention was focused around Schumacher who was back in
the cockpit for Ferrari, conducting his first proper
session in this year’s F2007. While his input will
doubtless prove valuable to the champions, the test is
not expected to precede a full-time return for the
German. The day in figures is as follows: 63 laps for
Michael (best time 1.21.918) and 75 for Luca (1.22.133.)
Testing continues at this circuit again tomorrow, when
Felipe Massa will join Michael Schumacher.
Meanwhile,
the FIA has announced that McLaren’s Brazilian Grand
Prix appeal, which is set to take place on Thursday,
will now be heard in London, not Paris. The change of
location has been blamed on this week’s planned
transport strikes in the French capital. The British
team lodged an appeal after the Interlagos stewards
ruled that BMW Sauber and Williams should not be
punished, despite suggestions that their cars had run
with fuel more than the permitted 10 degrees Celsius
below ambient temperature.
After carrying out an investigation, the stewards
decided there was not enough evidence to justify
sanctioning the teams and the result of the race was
declared official. Nico Rosberg finished the Brazilian
race in fourth for Williams, while Robert Kubica and
Nick Heidfeld crossed the line in fifth and sixth for
BMW Sauber.
Test
details: 13/11 - Circuit: Catalunya circuit, 4.655 km;
Drivers: Luca Badoer and Michael Schumacher; Car: F2007;
Weather: air temperature 12/19°C, track temperature
12/20°C. Cloudy in the morning, sunny in the afternoon. |
