Friday, 13th June 2008

Ferrari test driver Luca Badoer remains the man to beat on the second day of Formula One testing at the Circuit de Catalunya near Barcelona.

Ferrari test driver Luca Badoer remained the man to beat on the second day of a three day Formula One group test in Barcelona.

The Italian, who set the pace on day one at the wheel of the F2008, continued to work through a programme focused on new aerodynamic solutions and set-up of the car for the upcoming races and improved his best time down to 1min 21.013secs, which put him three tenths of a second clear of McLaren's Pedro de la Rosa.

The Spaniard took over driving duties for McLaren from fellow tester Gary Paffett and continued the teams work in evaluating aerodynamic components in preparation for the French and British races. Due to windy conditions on the day, de la Rosa will complete that part of the programme during the final day of the test tomorrow.

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There was also a change behind the wheel at Toyota, where Timo Glock took over driving duties from Japanese tester Kamui Kobayashi. The German worked on aerodynamic testing at the wheel of the TF108 with a focus on the French Grand Prix at Magny-Cours.

Although he suffered a mechanical issue after lunch, Glock was still able to complete over 80 laps during the day and will now continue with his work on the final day.

"I think we accomplished good work and had a productive day,” he said. “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."

Nico Rosberg enjoyed a problem free day for Williams in fourth place having come in to replace Nico Hulkenberg for the second day, although the young tester will return for day three, while former Williams driver David Coulthard was fifth for Red Bull.

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