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In the end
there were over 21,000 spectators assisting Fernando
Alonso's last day of testing before the new F1 season
gets underway and the Spanish fans' enthusiasm was
improved by a good performance by the Ferrarista with a
race simulation and the second fastest lap time of the
day.
Alonso completed
133 laps before he had to stop on the track due to one of
the common small problems, which normally happen during
these winter tests, the second consecutive day when a
reliability issue halted his running. The Spaniard's fastest
lap was driven in the morning session in a time of 1.20.637,
while the German Williams-Cosworth driver Nico Hulkenberg
was 23 thousandth of a second faster in the afternoon, when
there was less wind and the track in better conditions.
"We set up the
programme for these winter tests in January and we brought
them to an end," Alonso said at the end of the day. "In all
it was seven days and I really do have a good impression.
I'm calm for the first races, because I know that we've done
some great work. I think there are still some unknown
factors, because the tests were limited: we'll see what will
happen in Bahrain. The key will be how the tyres will be
used in the races."
Alonso, who has
been expressing a lot of confidence in the F10 during the
recent testing, doesn't hide the responsibility it means to
drive for a team like Ferrari: "At the start of every season
my goal is to win the title. I know that the expectations
are really high, because I'm part of a team used to fight
for the world title and there are so many fans who want the
same. I can't wait to start the championship in Bahrain, on
a circuit different as usual with a particular atmosphere;
the track will be modified after turn four, which makes it
more interesting."
The Spanish
driver, who was carrying out a race simulation yesterday,
said he was satisfied by the F10's behaviour under the
different condition that the drivers could find during the
grand prix weekends. "Maybe the afternoon was a little
quicker so I've got a better feeling, but I think that the
situation won't be that different in the end. It's always
difficult to judge the others' times: today's classification
doesn't mean anything. It's important to be on top of the
classification after the last race." Testing at this circuit
continues today, when Felipe Massa will take over driving
duties for the last two days.
Friday test
times from Barcelona:
1. Hulkenberg
1.20.614 (99 laps)
2. Alonso 1.20.637 (133)
3. De La Rosa 1.20.973 (113)
4. Liuzzi 1.21.056 (90)
5. Vettel 1.21.258 (125)
6. Alguersuari 1.21.571 (104)
7. Schumacher 1.21.689 (85)
8. Hamilton 1.22.152 (93)
9. Kubica 1.24.912 (53)
10. Trulli 1.25.524 (70)
11. Glock 1.25.942 (52)
Scuderia Ferrari Test Details,
26/02/2010; Circuit: Catalunya Circuit, Montmelò – 4.655 km;
Driver: Fernando Alonso; Car: Ferrari F10; Weather: air
temperature 13/23 °C, track temperature 15/28 °C. From clear
skies turning to slightly cloudy.
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