Formula One news

Valencia Day 1: McLaren leads Ferrari

De la Rosa set the pace

McLaren Mercedes test driver Pedro de la Rosa set the pace on the first day of testing since the Australian Grand Prix. Driving the 2004 McLaren at the Valencia circuit in southern Spain, de la Rosa clocked a best time of 1m10.124s to finish ahead of Ferrari test driver Luca Badoer.

It was a warm day at Valencia, the day beginning overcast with air temperature at eleven degress Centigrade before the clouds cleared and allowed ambient conditions to reach 18 degrees Centigrade. The track surface reached 24 degrees Centigrade.

Badoer was fast in old Ferrari

De la Rosa completed 81 laps on his way to the top of the timing sheets and enjoyed just 0.027s advantage over Luca Badoer who was at the wheel of last year's Ferrari F2003-GA. Tomorrow Rubens Barrichello will join Ferrari's test at the circuit and will drive the F2004 while Badoer continues in the F2003-GA. The Braziian was scheduled to test in Italy, but inclement weather conditions forced Ferrari to transport an F2004 to the warmer Valencia circuit.

BAR Honda test driver Anthony Davidson was the only other driver in action. At the wheel of the winter testing concept car he completed 127 laps - the equivalent to over 500km. 

Testing at Valencia continues tomorrow when Williams join the test with Marc Gené; Renault rock up with test driver Franck Montagny; and Toyota with their two test drivers Ricardo Zonta and Ryan Briscoe. 

Stay tuned to F1Racing.net for all the latest from testing.

more news

• 07 Nov.
  • Brawn looking forward to Senna debut
• 06 Nov.
  • Follow GPUpdate.net on Twitter!
  • Wind tunnel operator sues Force India
  • Toyota-assisted Kobayashi eyeing Lotus seat
  • Sutil: Abu Dhabi 'a shame' for Force India
  • Lee McKenzie's End of Season Review 2009
  • Lotus wanting experienced drivers
  • Anthony Hamilton: Räikkönen the best option for McLaren
• 05 Nov.
  • Renault decision to come in December
  • GPUpdate TV: Vettel receives sports car prize
  • Ecclestone: 2 days for Silverstone to sign
  • Etihad and Aldar to pay damages to Force India
  • 'F1 organisers to blame for lost teams' - Ferrari
  • Hülkenberg to test Williams next month
• 04 Nov.
  • FIA warns again: Credit crunch will win
  • Renault holds emergency meeting about F1 future
  • FOTA thanks Toyota's Howett
  • Ekström beats Schumacher for Race of Champions
  • Hülkenberg targeting Barrichello pace
  • Photos: Race of Champions 2009
  • Pirelli not interested in F1
  • Vettel and Schumacher win ROC Nations Cup
  • Toyota highlights reasons for F1 exit
  • Official: Toyota leaves Formula One
  • An interview with Kamui Koabayshi
• 03 Nov.
  • 'Toyota set to end Formula 1 project'
  • Red Bull to announce engine partner 'very shortly'
  • Schumacher: Comeback was for Felipe
  • Trulli on lookout for clear racing rules
  • Räikkönen too expensive, says Brawn
  • Horner aware of 2010 challengers
  • Michael: Hülkenberg following Hamilton-like path
• 02 Nov.
  • Brawn thanks Barrichello for contribution
  • Kubica to drive in French rally
  • 2010: The grid so far
  • Alonso won't drive Ferrari until February
  • Williams confirms Barrichello and Hülkenberg for 2010
  • Optimism at Renault for next year
  • Whitmarsh: 2010 McLaren quicker than 2009 car
  • Alonso fined for pit lane speeding

Homepage