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Ferrari kicked off a six day test in Bahrain
yesterday and posted its intent to strongly
defend its F1 titles with Kimi Raikkonen
lopping half a second off Felipe Massa's
pole position time last year. |
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Ferrari
kicked off a mammoth six day test session in Bahrain
yesterday and immediately posted its intent to strongly
defend its F1 drivers' and constructors' titles with
Kimi Raikkonen lopping half a second off team mate
Felipe Massa's pole position time (1:32.652) set during
qualifying at the Bahraini Grand Prix last April.
Ferrari is using
the new F2008 chassis in Bahrain and unlike last year's cars
it is devoid of the now outlawed driver aids, including
traction control and engine braking, to conform with the new
2008 regulations. It is also fitted with the new 'stock' ECU
developed by Microsoft and McLaren Electronic Systems.
On the first day
of testing at the Sakhir circuit, in Bahrain F1 World
Champion Raikkonen and official test driver Luca Badoer
began work on a busy technical programme, concentrating on
general development of the car, finding the best set-up and
electronics. The first day's day in figures were as follows:
68 laps for Raikkonen (best time 1.32.079) and 72 for Badoer
(1.33.323).
"Kimi did a
great time, and it is only the first of six days here. We
only began to look at the possible developments for this
track and similar ones," a satisfied Badoer told Italian
sports newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport.
With the
majority of the F1 teams attending a three day session at
the Circuit de Catalunya near Barcelona (Spain), Toyota were
the only other outfit out on track, with Timo Glock
(1:33.323) posting the quickest time from the Japanese team.
Test driver Kamui Kobayashi (1:33.856) was also in action
getting his first taste of the new TF108.
Ferrari continue testing at this circuit today when once
again, Badoer and Raikkonen will be on track, as will the
Toyota team.
Test Details:
04/02/2008 - Circuit: Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir
- (5.412 km); Drivers: Luca Baoder and Kimi Raikkonen; Cars:
F2008; Weather: air temperature 12/17 °C, track temperature
13/27°C. Clear skies, windy.
Unofficial Monday times from Bahrain:
1. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari F2008, 1:32.079
2. Luca Badoer, Ferrari F2008, 1:33.323
3. Timo Glock, Toyota TF108, 1:33.418
4. Kamui Kobayashi, Toyota TF108, 1:33.856
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