Formula One news

Badoer fastest in Bahrain

Formula One testing began at Bahrain International Circuit, with three teams present: Ferrari, Honda and Scuderia Toro Rosso, all making the most of the track time available.

The 2006 Bahrain Grand Prix on March 10-12 marks the start of the forthcoming FIA Formula One World Championship, and the teams have been acclimatising their cars and drivers in readiness for the 'desert Grand Prix'.

Luca Badoer, Ferrari's lead test driver, said: "I am very pleased that we have come to the Bahrain International Circuit as it is an ideal track to prepare for the season. The asphalt is very good and once it has been cleaned of the sand, the track conditions remain very consistent for the rest of the session. This is a very important test for us because we can practice in the same conditions we will have at the first race of the season."

Felipe Massa put in considerable mileage with the team's new Ferrari 248 F1 car. He was joined by the team's Italian test driver Luca Badoer in the Ferrari F2004 fitted with a restricted 3.0 V10 engine.

Honda's regular test driver Anthony Davidson was joined in Bahrain by his junior team mate and fellow Briton James Rossiter to prepare the new Honda RA106 cars for race drivers Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello to run during tomorrow's test at Bahrain International Circuit.

Scuderia Toro Rosso jointly owned by Red Bull and Formula One legend Gerhard Berger, ran its new STR-1 Cosworth with American newcomer Scott Speed, who makes his Formula One debut at the 2006 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix. This car is unique in the 2006 FIA Formula One World Championship in running with a restricted 3-litre V10 engine rather than the new 2.4-litre V8 as will be used by the other 10 teams.

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