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606: DEBATE
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1617: Right then, that's me done for today. Thanks for all your messages, much appreciated. You've got me again tomorrow, you lucky people, for another day of fun and frolics. Take care. 1612: Here's a bit of breaking news for you.
Indian driver Karun Chandhok
is poised to drive for the new Campos team in 2010.
Petrov positive about first season in F1
1601: That's it. The flag falls and day one of the Barcelona test comes to an end. There were a total of six red flags today following the problems for Fauzy, Alonso, Di Grassi, Webber, Rosberg and Button. Webber's time of 1:21.487 tops the list, with Hulkenberg (1:22.407), Rosberg (1:22.514), De La Rosa (1:23.144) and Button (1:23.452) all behind him. Liuzzi, Alonso, Petrov, Alguersuari, Di Grassi and Fauzy complete the list.
BBC Sport's Sarah Holt on Twitter:
"Jenson bends down to look at the rear of his car. Then he stands up and gets into the people carrier that will carry him back to the garage." 1557: It's another red flag, this time with only three minutes left on the clock. The McLaren of world champion Jenson Button has stopped on the track at turn 10. Mark in South Wales via text on 81111 or +44 7786200666: "It seems that reliability may be the decider and not the out-and-out pace of the cars. McLaren seem to have that."
BBC Sport's Sarah Holt on Twitter:
"Button down - or up whichever way you see it - to 1:23.453 now, but the world champion is still nearly 1.965 secs off Webber's top time." Jules in Edinburgh via text on 81111 or +44 7786200666: "I wonder if all this stopping for no apparent reason is down to actually running out of fuel? Given that eking as much mileage out of as little fuel is of paramount importance this season you would expect some testing of normal driving on very low levels?" 1541: Lap times are a-tumbling in Spain as the drivers start to put in some quick stints with the clock ticking down. Hulkenberg is up to second after taking his Williams around in 1:22.504. Button, Webber and Alonso are also out on the track.
BBC Sport's Sarah Holt on Twitter:
"Just to warn you that neither Jenson Button or Fernando Alonso will be doing media today so we will have to wait until tomorrow. Alas. Speaking of Button, he's just done a fastest lap of 1:23.505 on his 87th lap for McLaren. He's leapfrogged Alonso for fifth overall."
Mercedes on Twitter:
"Brief interruption as we caused a red flag... Nico will be back out again shortly."
BBC Sport's Sarah Holt on Twitter:
"Unless there are some low fuel runs in the next 40 mins I don't think Webber's time will be beaten. He's 1.027 secs ahead of Rosberg in 2nd." 1522: Green flag and we are go, go, go. Or something like that. Is someone going to put in a happy-hour glory lap and knock Webber off the top? We'll soon find out. From a person simply known as Doctor via text on 81111 or +44 7786200666: "Blah blah blah, Ferrari, blah blah, McLaren! We're pinning a tail on a donkey. Keep it real people. A true picture won't appear until race one." 1513: Hello, hello, it's another red flag for someone stopping on the track. The culprit seems to be Rosberg in his Mercedes. Around 45 minutes of the day to go. Chris in Epsom via text on 81111 or +44 7786200666: "Wonder if Renault will provide powerful (& reliable) engines for Red Bull this season? Could make it very interesting with last year's finish in the championship." BBC Sport's Sarah Holt in Barcelona:"Mark Webber's Red Bull remains behind closed doors in the pits after he stopped on the track.
Lee McKenzie
has been on a mission to find out what's wrong but she says the team don't know yet. Red Bull have had to change their engines twice in the opening three tests and yet another stop doesn't bode well. I might just put my neck on the line and predict that the Australian's top time of 1:21.487 won't be bettered today. Risky prediction? We'll see as there's less than an hour to go." 1456: There's been quite a few questions today regarding BBC's coverage of Formula 1 in high definition. The simple answer is that Formula One Management makes that decision and they have opted not to broadcast in HD this year. Meanwhile, we now have a
photo gallery
for your delight and delectation, it even has a snap of Alonso's Ferrari being towed to the pits. Simon in London via text on 81111 or +44 7786200666: "It seems to me that this championship could be Alonso's to lose. That said, people aren't talking about Vettel enough... which no doubt suits him fine." 1427: It's all go again in Barcelona, the green flag has been waved. McLaren's Jenson Button, Nico Rosberg of Mercedes and Renault's Vitaly Petrov are all having a run out. There has not been much movement at the top of the timing charts, with Webber, Rosberg and Hulkenberg occupying the top three places. Sauber's Pedro de la Rosa is fourth with a 1:23.321 while Alonso is running fifth after a 1:24.170 set just after lunch.
Lotus on Twitter:
"For the afternoon, it's about car set-up. Getting Fairuz to do another 45-50 laps."
Virgin's Lucas di Grassi on Twitter:
"Hi guys, today I had a spin at corner nine compromising some mileage run. The causes still being investigated. I am fine, thanks. Next time I will go even faster, always pushing more and more." 1422: Just for your info, that is the third time Webber has caused a red flag during this off-season. He stopped on the opening day of the second test, covering the rear of the car with his helmet to prevent prying eyes, and the final day of the third test. 1415: The red flag comes out, with Mark Webber's Red Bull stopping in the middle of the track. That's the third stoppage of the day. 1411: There are reports of a few spots of rain at the track now. Hopefully it will not get any heavier as the tests at Jerez were both badly affected by the weather. BBC Sport's pit-lane reporter Lee McKenzie: "I've just spoken to Virgin Racing team boss John Booth and he says the team won't be running until tomorrow lunchtime at the earliest. They are flying parts over from the UK tonight which will obviously have to be fitted before the car can hit the track again. The team haven't managed to do a pit-stop practice yet and in a season where stops will be crucial they'll have to squeeze it in over the next few days." 1349: We've had a question in to BBC towers via text from Keith in Hull, who is "very excited about the new season and sporting a new Ferrari tattoo", about the Sauber team and what they are officially called. The easiest answer is that we will know their proper title when the official F1 entry list comes out. Hope that helps. BBC Sport's Sarah Holt in Barcelona: "I've just experienced a Formula 1 first - lunch with Virgin Racing. The team invited the mini BBC crew to share some of their food as we met some of the team. We were sat at the table across from Lucas di Grassi. The Brazilian rookie looked none too pleased as he was back in his civvies following his plunge into the tyres which looks to have ended his first day on the track. Still at least he was looking after himself as he munched on chicken and salad while the rest of us ate pasta and lemon pie. The team aren't giving an official line on his crash just yet but after a first look at the footage they say nothing broke on the car, which will be a relief after Timo Glock's front wing fell off in Jerez because of a problem with the mounting." 1320: The drivers are slowly returning to the track following their break. I bet the food on offer in Spain is far posher than my humble cheese and tomato sandwich. That is idle speculation, however, as none of the teams are revealing their lunchtime menu. Shame. Mark Webber and Force India's Vitantonio Liuzzi are among those going out.
InsideFerrari on Twitter:
"A difficult start of the testing session: Alonso lost some precious track time due to an electronic issue. He was back on track before lunch."
Tom on 606:
"It's not going well for the newcomers I must say, fortunes may change when the season starts, but they've got a lot of catching up to do." Chris in Welwyn Garden City via text on 81111 or +44 7786200666: "I can't wait to see how the McLarens stack up with some proper dry running in Barcelona, all the promise was there between the clouds at Jerez." Paul in Dublin via text on 81111 or +44 7786200666: "Ferrari or Red Bull for the title, although I'd prefer Hamilton to take it, or Button. USF1 will only make it as part of a merger."
Mercedes on Twitter:
"Nico has done 57 laps this morning with a best of 1:22.514 and in P2 on the times." 1205: The session ends and we have the hour-long break for lunch. Red Bull's Mark Webber has set the pace this morning with a time of 1:21.487, with the Mercedes of Nico Rosberg in second and Nico Hulkenberg's Williams in third. Marcus in Northampton via text on 81111 or +44 7786200666: "I can't wait to see how the relationship develops between Alonso & Massa at Ferrari. Knowing what happened at McLaren, will Massa be happy with Alonso taking the unofficial 'leading driver' role or will Massa be the one coming out on top?" Noah via text on 81111 or +44 7786200666: "Alonso to win the title- it's about time he was at the sharp end of the grid again."
Lotus on Twitter:
"Lunchtime for Fairuz now - feeling good after a solid morning's work. Fairuz has done over 31 laps... so far it's been engine mapping and also fine tuning of engine..." BBC Sport's Sarah Holt in Barcelona: "Di Grassi had done 31 laps before his off. He was lying in 10th place with a best of 1:27.057." 1137: More testing woe for new F1 team Virgin. Lucas di Grassi crashes at turn nine, which is normally taken at 150mph. The team have had all sorts of problems so far this off-season with Timo Glock suffering a front-wing failure in the first test in Jerez while they were restricted to only 144 laps of running at the second four-day test at Jerez because of hydraulic issues. Rob, Plymouth, via text on 81111: "This season will be the most closely fought battle for years, new cars, new teams and no fuelling. I still believe that the pit stops will decide the positions of each race, but hopefully we will see a lot more overtaking. Good luck to the new teams, hope they have a big impact on mixing the grid up." BBC Sport's Sarah Holt in Barcelona: "It is a little early in the day to figure out which updates the teams are running with on day one in Barcelona. Mercedes remained mysterious when asked if they had any new bits to the car. Willy Rampf is still in charge of Sauber's development this week but, after 10 years at the helm, the German is set to be replaced by James Key, who has left his role as Force India technical director to switch to Sauber. Rampf was in typically pleasant mood over at Sauber HQ and said he's still enjoying being around until the end of April. Sauber driver Pedro de la Rosa is fourth fastest in this early session. By the way, I'm trying to find out what's happening with Fernando Alonso. The Spaniard hasn't emerged since his stop on the track two hours ago but Ferrari are keeping schtum at the moment." 1114: It is worth mentioning that although these pre-season tests do give some indication about a car's pace, it is impossible to definitively analyse how competitive they are as the fuel loads of each vehicle are not published. Saying that though, the chat in the paddock is that Ferrari, Red Bull and McLaren are ahead of the rest, with Michael Schumacher's Mercedes team just behind. BBC pit-lane reporter Lee McKenzie in Barcelona:"I've been speaking to fellow Scot Paul di Resta at Force India. Since the interview I did with Paul in Glasgow a month ago, when he was announced as Force India's reserve driver, he's not been back to the UK. He's been staying in Spain in Portugal for F1 testing and the German DTM series, where he drives for Mercedes. The 23-year-old was meant to be driving the Force India today but the team changed testing plans so he's now a spectator and is heading back home to Scotland tomorrow. Next time we see him should during Friday practice in Bahrain. Vijay Mallya's team are behind the idea to give young drivers time in the car on Fridays because of the ban on in-season testing. Di Resta looked impressive when he drove in the wet during the Jerez test but he still reckons it's hard to tell where Force India are in comparison to their rivals." 1041: Right then, I take it you do not want to hear me drone on for the next four days all my own. My wife wouldn't put up with it and you shouldn't either. Here's your chance to get involved. You can use the medium of
606,
you can be hip and happening with
Twitter,
or you can text me on 81111 (UK) or +44 7786200666. Let me know what you are thinking. Who will win the 2010 title, will there be any dark horses, will USF1 actually make the grid in Bahrain? Get in the mixer, you know you want to. 1022: The teams have been busy this morning, so here's a quick catch-up. There have been two red flags so far, one for the Lotus of reserve driver Fairuz Fauzy and the other for Fernando Alonso's Ferrari. Both cars stopped on the track. As for the timings, Nico Hulkenberg in the Williams has set the fastest lap so far with one minute, 22.684 seconds. The Red Bull of Mark Webber is in second (1:23.335) with Nico Rosberg's Mercedes in third (1:23.709). BBC Sport's Sarah Holt in Barcelona: "Welcome to the final pre-season test in Barcelona, where thankfully, after two soggy tests in Jerez, the sun is shining and temperatures are up to a positively balmy 14C. The dry conditions will please the 11 protagonists here, who now have just four days left to fine-tune the cars and iron out any creases before the opening Bahrain Grand Prix on 14 March. In theory, Barcelona should be the most illuminating of the winter tests because the Circuit de Catalunya is home to May's Spanish GP, which means the teams have plenty of data to compare their early 2010 form against. The teams are also set to unveil significant aerodynamic updates and other "goodies" before lining up in Bahrain." 1015: Morning all. After a test at Valencia and two at Jerez, Formula 1's great and good are now in Spain for four days of smoke and mirrors at the Circuit de Catalunya near Barcelona. Welcome, to what I'm calling, 'the first day of final pre-season testing'. Snappy isn't it?
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