Ferrari’s Luca Badoer stayed at the top of the timesheets for the second day of testing at Barcelona.
The established Maranello test driver lapped the Circuit de Catalunya in 1m 21.013 going over a second quicker than his best effort yesterday.
Home-favourite Pedro de la Rosa took over testing duties at McLaren and wound up second quickest, three tenths slower than Badoer. The Spaniard spent the day working on set-up and evaluating mechanical components ahead of Magny-Cours next week.
Toyota’s Tim Glock, boyued by his first points of the season in Canada, ended the day third quickest, a mere 0.2 seconds slower than Pedro de la Rosa, and a whisker in front of Williams’ Nico Rosberg in fourth.
“I think we accomplished good work and had a productive day,” enthused the German. “We collected a lot of aerodynamic data, which is good for the guys back in Cologne.”
“For me it was good to be back in the car after the success in Canada and the TF108 feels better and better from lap to lap the more time I spend in the cockpit.”
“I am more comfortable with it now and the team did a good job. We had a small break after lunch with a hydraulic problem but the mechanics repaired it quickly and we were able to continue the programme, which was important.”
Newly crowned race winner and championship leader Robert Kubica spent the day working on aerodynamic and mechanical development. The Pole classified sixth on the timesheets, just behind David Coulthard who enjoyed a full day behind the wheel of his RB4 after sharing the honours with Sebastian Buemi yesterday.
Nelson Piquet took over from Romain Grosjean to complete 129 laps and end up eighth quickest, in between Rubens Barrichello and Sebastien Bourdais. Renault were rumoured to have delegated testing responsibility to Piquet to help him to get to grips with the R28.
“It was a good day’s work and, despite losing some time before lunch, I was able to do most of what we had planned,” said the Renault driver.
“We spent the day evaluating some new things that the team will use in France next week and that all went well. Another full day of running tomorrow should put us in good shape for next week.”
The Brazilian is expected to take to the track again tomorrow.
<pre>
Pos Driver Team Time Laps
1. Badoer Ferrari (B) 1:21.013 95
2. de la Rosa McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:21.374 111
3. Glock Toyota (B) 1:21.573 97
4. Rosberg Williams-Toyota (B) 1:21.614 86
5. Coulthard Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:21.669 86
6. Kubica BMW Sauber (B) 1:21.761 114
7. Barrichello Honda (B) 1:21.950 122
8. Piquet Renault (B) 1:22.037 129
9. Bourdais Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:22.395 101 </pre>
