Formula One news

Barcelona Day 1: McLaren and BMW back on track

Paffett in action today

McLaren and BMW kicked off the first major F1 test of the winter today at the Circuit de Catalunya near Barcelona. DTM champion Gary Paffett set the pace as he tested for McLaren. Paffett's success in DTM has given him another chance to impress at the wheel of an F1 car and he will be helping the team out with its testing this winter.

Paffett completed 57 laps, his fastest in 1m20.586s. McLaren test driver Alex Wurz was also in action and finished second fastest just 0.079s behind. Wurz's day was blighted by a mechanical problem early in the morning which meant he completed only ten laps all day.

The only other driver in action today was Nick Heidfeld, back in action after being sidelined for the final few rounds of the season with injury. Heidfeld completed 30 laps at the wheel of his Sauber BMW and finished 0.7s down on Paffett's pace. The team ran the 2005 Sauber with the new BMW V8 engine.

Testing continues tomorrow when Toyota, Williams, Red Bull and Toro Rosso will join the action.

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