Massa clear of the field with Ferrari

After three fly-away Grand Prix, the three week gap between the Bahrain and Spanish Grand Prix enables testing to resume this week at Circuit de Catalunya. With the exception of Super Aguri Honda and Toro Rosso Ferrari, the remaining teams fielded a car each at the circuit last used at the end of February. Bridgestone also brought slick Potenza tyres to this test ahead of the expected rule change for the 2009 season.

Felipe Massa was on duty for the Ferrari team today, setting the pace with a best lap of 1:18.339s, a cool 2.7 seconds clear of his nearest rival. The Bahrain Grand Prix winner stopped the clocks with a best lap of 1:18.339s, recorded on his 71st of 77 laps completed today.

Alex Wurz took to the circuit in the Honda RA108 and despite a small fire in the morning, was able to put in 75 laps of the 4.655km circuit ahead of Pedro de la Rosa in the McLaren Mercedes. The Spanish test driver was on track today with a run of the slick tyre, putting in a total of 113 laps.

Nick Heidfeld, now second in the championship standings with BMW Sauber, set the fourth fastest time ahead of Nelson Piquet in the Renault. David Coulthard was sixth fastest in the Red Bull Renault ahead of Kazuki Nakajima in the Williams. Timo Glock put in 93 laps for Toyota despite losing time after going off while Tonio Liuzzi gained some more mileage with the Force India Ferrari team.

Toro Rosso Ferrari are present at the circuit as they prepare the new STR3 challenger. They are expected to take part as testing resumes on Tuesday while Super Aguri will not test this week.

Barcelona - 14/04/2008
1 . F. Massa - Ferrari F2008 - 1:18.339 (+ 0.000 ) - 77 laps
2 . A. Wurz - Honda RA108 - 1:21.059 (+ 2.720 ) - 75 laps
3 . P. de la Rosa - McLaren Mercedes MP4-23 - 1:21.566 (+ 3.227 ) - 113 laps
4 . N. Heidfeld - BMW Sauber F1.08 - 1:21.679 (+ 3.340 ) - 105 laps
5 . N. Piquet - Renault R28 - 1:21.913 (+ 3.574 ) - 91 laps
6 . D. Coulthard - Red Bull Renault RB4 - 1:22.193 (+ 3.854 ) - 59 laps
7 . K. Nakajima - Williams Toyota FW30 - 1:22.431 (+ 4.092 ) - 72 laps
8 . T. Glock - Toyota TF108 - 1:22.590 (+ 4.251 ) - 93 laps
9 . V. Liuzzi - Force India Ferrari VJM01 - 1:22.846 (+ 4.507 ) - 91 laps.

Earl ALEXANDER

14.4.2008   ▪ Formula One    ▪ Ferrari, Massa    ▪ en.f1-live.com