Formula One news

Badoer remains fastest in Bahrain

Formula One testing at Bahrain International Circuit continued today, with Luca Badoer being the fastest man out on track. The Italian was joined by four other drivers in Sakhir.

After a day curtailed by gearbox problems, Scuderia Toro Rosso team principal Franz Tost said: "Yesterday Scott Speed ran 82 trouble-free laps and we achieved our goal of giving him the chance to learn the car, the circuit and start work on setup for the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix. Today Tonio Liuzzi took over the car and we managed to get in some setup work and long runs but our race simulation was unfortunately cut short with the gearbox problems.

"So far we are very happy with the test though. Tomorrow Neel Jani will get his first run in the car and we are all looking forward to that, then sadly Thursday is our last day here. It's sad because we really want to stay! This test, we expect, will give us an advantage over our rivals who are back in the cold in Europe. As a team it is also very important to be here now because we are approaching the very first Grand Prix for Scuderia Toro Rosso and we are really seeing the team come together here."

Ferrari driver Felipe Massa and test driver Luca Badoer continued to work with both the all-new 248 F1 and the F2004 car with its restricted 3.0-litre V10 engine. Massa completed a 360-degree spin at the end of the 320 km/h main straight and continued without damage, while Badoer again set the fastest time of the day in the F2004.

The well-balanced race team of Rubens Barrichello and Jenson Button ended the day a mere 0.036s apart, with Barrichello logging the most laps of the day. Button meanwhile left the circuit at the end of testing to meet the Bahraini public in an autograph session in the Seef Mall in Manama.

The Scuderia Toro Rosso team was thwarted in its attempt to run a full race simulation when gearbox problems struck the STR 1. The car is being rebuilt overnight in order for Swiss driver Neel Jani to make his first appearance as a driver for Scuderia Toro Rosso before both Speed and Liuzzi share the car on Thursday.

Testing was behind doors thus far but the track announced it will open its gates to the public on Thursday.

more news

• 11 Oct.
  • Honda continues to struggle at Fuji
  • Photos: Saturday at Fuji
  • Mixed result at Red Bull Racing
  • Toyota team make it into top ten
  • Massa laments lack of grip
  • Hamilton happy on pole
  • Hamilton takes Japanese pole
  • Kubica on top in wet free practice
• 10 Oct.
  • Bridgestone expects grip to improve during the weekend
  • Buemi to steer medical car
  • Trouble-free day for McLaren
  • Positive day for Toro Rosso
  • Webber gives Red Bull hope
  • Mixed Friday for BMW
  • Force India upbeat after practice
  • Honda looking for more pace
  • Ferrari happy with Friday progress
  • Government will try and safe Canadian Grand Prix
  • Strong start for Toyota at home track
  • Renault shows encouraging pace at Fuji
  • Nakajima enjoys first day at Fuji Speedway
  • Glock fastest on Friday
  • Photos: Friday at Fuji
  • Hamilton leads first practice in Japan
  • Nakajima pleased with his first F1 season so far
  • Barrichello's advise to Senna: Do not join Honda!
• 09 Oct.
  • Massa focused ahead of vital race weekend
  • Raikkonen hoping for better
  • Button still waiting for Honda's driver decision
  • Canadian GP dropped due to a 'commercial disagreement'
  • New engine for Glock
  • F1 drivers: It's a shame to see Canada go
  • Ecclestone outlines dramatic F1 engine plans
  • Hamilton: I'm stronger and in a better position
  • Alonso: BMW was never a serious option
  • Photos: Thursday at Fuji
  • Japanese Grand Prix technical preview
• 08 Oct.
  • Bridgestone to introduce green tyres in Japan
  • Senna hopes to join Toro Rosso or Honda
  • Di Resta to test McLaren at Silverstone

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