Vettel goes on top in penultimate Official F1 test session

A total of eleven teams were in action including Malaysia's own Lotus F1 Racing with Fairuz Fauzy at the helm of the T127.

The first day's fastest time fell to Red Bull Racing's Sebastian Vettel who pounded the track with several consistent runs on the RB6 to top the timesheets. Eventhough, the weather was atrocious due heavy rain overnight, Vettel ran on wet tyres and the team had to cut back on aero and mechanical set-up testing for the remainder of the test. However, the 2009 F1 drivers' championship runner-up was still able to blaze the circuit with a best lap of 1:22.593 in a total of 103 laps.

McLaren continued with its development of MP4-25, making good progress with the car's balance and set-up, based on a thorough evaluation of and response to the data gathered at last week's running at Jerez. Lewis Hamilton caused an early red flag during the morning's running when his car was stopped by a minor systems error.

Thereafter, he ran without problems and was able to achieve some encouraging times over several long runs. Eventually, the 2008 F1 champion secured the second quickest of the day on the timesheets. With heavier rain forecast, the team will continue with its reactive program, continuing to put miles on the car while simultaneously looking at improving performance.

Mercedes GP joined ten other teams for its third pre-season test at the Jerez with Michael Schumacher at the wheel of the MGP W01. With the team's program constantly adapting to suit the conditions, Schumacher began the day on wet tyres before switching to intermediates as a dry line began to emerge later in the session.

Schumacher successfully completed a planned long run on dry tyres before a further downpour soaked the track. Despite the interruptions, the 7-time F1 champion completed 111 laps, covering 492kms. Team mate Nico Rosberg assumes the MGP W01 for the second day of testing.

On the agenda in the Toro Rosso camp was a brake system evaluation, and fortunately, there were enough dry laps available for Sebastien Buemi to complete the planned program. He went fourth quickest in approximately 79 laps and the STR5 had no major technical problems.

Vitaly Petrov was on hand for Renault F1 Team for the first day test proceedings, but had to endure another wet day in Jerez. The Russian hopes for a better second day weather condition to derive more kilometers on the R30.

BMW Sauber F1 team's Pedro De La Rosa was able to complete the work the team had on the program despite an unfavorable weather. Team mate Kamui Kobayashi is scheduled to assume from de la Rosa on Friday and Saturday.

Lotus Racing endured their first ever test session with Fauzy completing 76 laps, without major problems, for over 300 kms. With the 300kms met, Fauzy has fulfilled the requirements to gain his Super Licence which is subjected to the FIA's approval. The team was among the first cars on track in wet conditions, and despite a lack of power steering, due to supplier issues, Fauzy successfully ran his and the team's objectives for the day.

Fauzy commented, "To arrive here and complete 76 laps is fantastic. It was a big challenge, both to complete the 300kms I need for the Super Licence, and with no power steering it was difficult to drive in the dry, not so bad in the wet, so I was driving a bit conservatively but I am just very pleased."

Team mate Heikki Kovalainen is scheduled for driving duties for the next two days, while Jarno Trulli will join the action on Saturday.

Force India F1 team resumed its VJM03 testing program with new test and reserve driver Paul di Resta getting his first taste of the 2010 challenger in the day's first half session before Adrian Sutil took over for the second half of the session. Di Resta completed over 300km, while Sutil covered 120km, bringing the day's mileage to more than 450km.

Debutants Virgin Racing were also trackside in Jerez where the team's second full test with the VR-01 saw to a challenging conclusion. The team experienced more of the rough than the smooth when an elusive hydraulics problem proved hard to pin down. The VR-01 spent the session's second half in diagnostic mode before a series of out-laps were in order to try to flush out the root cause through the hydraulic system. As a result, the team completed just 10 laps of the 4.5km circuit and were unable to set a representative lap time.

* Article taken from www.motorsportchannel.com