Ferrari test driver Marc Gene set the pace as the final
Formula One test got underway in Spain before the series begins its European swing at Imola next weekend.
On a day largely featuring test and reserve drivers, Gene took the 248
F1 to a time of 1min 16.122secs, good enough to keep the Spaniard a couple of tenths clear of
Williams rookie
Nico Rosberg, whose own mark of 1min 16.313secs was good enough to prevent a Ferrari 1-2, with Luca Badoer taking third spot with a lap of 1min 16.391secs.
The Scuderia's two official test drivers each had one of the team's latest chassis at their disposal for the first day of four at the Circuit de Catalunya, with the Italian working mainly on the development of new components and his Spanish colleague focusing on an endurance run, making his fastest lap all the more surprising.
Williams opted for a blend of race and test strength, with Rosberg being joined by second reserve Narain Karthikeyan. Both drivers completed 96-lap days, with the Indian proving just a tenth slower than his German team-mate.
"Nico and Narain were on duty for the first of four which will see all of the team's drivers on circuit at some stage," test team manager Mike Condliffe revealed, "Both drivers completed a busy schedule, running new aero parts and suspension items in the morning, followed by tyre construction tests in the afternoon."
Red Bull was the only team to field both of its race regulars, with Christian Klien and
David Coulthard completing just over 100 laps between them. The Austrian was fifth quickest behind Karthikeyan, half a second off Gene's pace, but DC struggled with his programme and was the only driver not to record a lap in the 1min 16s.
The second Red Bull-owned team,
Scuderia Toro Rosso, was also in attendance, with test driver Neel Jani kicking off its preparations for its home event at Imola in ten days' time. General manager Gianfranco Fantuzzi described the day as 'productive', with Jani completing 83 laps with a time of 1min 16.760secs ensuring that the four teams were all closely matched.
