14.02.2009 KIMI RAIKKONEN GETS BEHIND THE WHEEL OF THE FERRARI F60 IN BAHRAIN

KIMI RAIKKONEN - FERRARI F60
KIMI RAIKKONEN - FERRARI F60

In January it was the rain and on Thursday in Sakhir it was the sand preventing Kimi Raikkonen from driving the F60 in the dry but finally the weather conditions improved and the wind stopped blowing sand allowing the Finn to drive.

In January at Mugello it was the rain and yesterday last week in Sakhir it was the sand preventing Kimi Raikkonen from drive the new Ferrari F60 on a dry track. But finally on Friday, when the weather conditions improved and the wind stopped blowing sand all over the place, Raikkonen was there.

So after a long waiting period the three teams participating in the double test session at the Sakhir circuit were able to get back to work on the track and not just at the box. The weather conditions improved during the night and for Friday the visibility was good enough for the medical helicopters to start. Although it has to be said that the track was not in perfect condition in the morning, but after two hours of driving the lap times started to drop. All in all it was possible to do some serious work.

"The track was very slippery in the morning, due to the sand, but we managed to go ahead with our programme," Raikkonen said at the end of the day. "It's a pity for the time we lost over the last days, but it didn't depend on us. This happens and you just have to accept it. My first day with the new F60 on a dry track was extremely positive. I immediately had a good feeling although it's still too early to say where we are compared to our competitors. The car is improving and there are no especially critical areas. We used the KERS also today and I'm happy with how it works."

Raikkonen was the fastest driver on the track yesterday with a lap time of 1.33.325, followed by the Toyota with Jarno Trulli (1.33.429) and the BMW with Christian Klien (1.33.666). The most laps were driven by the Italian (127), two more than his Austrian colleague, while Kimi drove 105. The test will proceed on Monday, 16th February, for Scuderia Ferrari with Raikkonen once again behind the wheel.

Test Details (13/02/2009) - Circuit: Bahrain International Circuit - 5.412 km; Driver: Kimi Raikkonen; Car: Ferrari F60; Weather: air temperature 16/21 °C, track temperature 16/29 °C. Sunny with hazy skies.
 

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