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.