Yesterday the last test session before the 2010 Formula 1 season got underway in Montmelò just outside of Barcelona with Fernando Alonso undertaking driving duties for Ferrari on a day when he covered 74 laps with a best time of 1:24.170.

Yesterday the last test session before the 2010 Formula 1 season got underway in Montmelò just outside of Barcelona. Just like during the previous four days in Jerez eleven cars from the thirteen teams officially enrolled went onto the Circuit de Catalunya with just new outfits Campos-Meta and USF1 missing the test.

Fernando Alonso started Scuderia Ferrari's work programme for the test. The Spanish driver had a slightly agitated morning – a problem with the car’s electronics saw him stopping out on the track during the first run, therefore missing several hours of work on the circuit. After he went out again just before the lunch break, which is compulsory at the track and held from 1pm to 2pm, Alonso drove all afternoon, concentrating on the first evaluation of some new aerodynamic solutions such a long fin on the engine cover, similar to the one used on the F2008 two years ago. At the end of the day Alonso had driven 74 laps, the fastest in a time of 1.24.170.

"It wasn’t a perfect day, but it was very helpful nevertheless," said Alonso at the end of the day's testing. "We had several new things in the car and we collected some data to see how they work. Now we’ve got to understand how to exploit them. The track wasn’t great today. A little dirty and wind. It’s always interesting to drive on a circuit, where you’ll also have a Grand Prix, because you start seeing some aspects you’ll have to deal with later on. All in all I’d say it was a good day.”

Comfortably fastest on the opening day in Barcelona was the new Red Bull-Renault driven by Australian Mark Webber, he was almost a full second quicker than the Williams-Cosworth of GP2 Champion and 2010 F1 rookie Nico Hulkenberg. Equal third fastest was Nico Rosberg (Mercedes GP) and Pedro de la Rosa (BMW Sauber), both drivers posted an identical time of 1:22.514. Fifth quickest was new F1 World Champion Jenson Button (McLaren-Mercedes) ahead of Vitantonio Liuzzi (Force India-Mercedes) with Alonso posting the seventh fastest time of the opening session. Testing at this circuit continues today, when Alonso will again be on track for Ferrari.

Thursday testing times from Barcelona:

1. Webber 1.21.487 (109 laps)
2. Hulkenberg 1.22.407 (82)
3. Rosberg 1.22.514 (107)
4. De La Rosa 1.22.514 (73)
5. Button 1.23.452 (101)
6. Liuzzi 1.24.064 (65)
7. Alonso 1.24.170 (74)
8. Petrov 1.24.173 (74)
9. Alguersuari 1.24.869 (111)
10. Di Grassi 1.27.057 (31)
11. Fauzy 1.28.002 (76)

Test Details, 25/02/2010 - Circuit: Catalunya Circuit, Montmelò – 4.655 km; Driver: Fernando Alonso; Car: Ferrari F10; Weather: air temperature 10/20 °C, track temperature 12/23 °C. Cloudy.