Formula One news

Bahrain Day 2: Heidfeld shines

Nick Heidfeld dominated the timesheets on the second day of testing at Bahrain, setting a lap of 1:30.469s. The German was almost eight tenths quicker than second fastest Fernando Alonso, which suggests that BMW is indeed right on the pace in the build up to the 2007 season.

The team completed its programme successfully with Robert Kubica, who took over from Sebastian Vettel, managing 100 laps and ending up fifth fastest. McLaren also made good progress with Fernando Alonso second quickest and Lewis Hamilton fourth. Hamilton carried out long stints as the team used the hot temperatures - 40 degrees centigrade plus - to work out the right setup for the season opener at Melbourne.

Jenson Button also backed up Thursday's promise with another solid day of testing for the Honda team. He was third fastest with a 1:31.807s whilst Rubens Barrichello was ninth. Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen was sixth quickest whilst his team-mate Felipe Massa was eighth. Both Ferraris were about two seconds off Heidfeld's pace but Heidfeld's fastest lap was set on a simualted qualifying run and at this point it is always uncertain which programmes teams are running.

Red Bull and Toyota still showed little sign of improving on their less than impressive pre-season form, and both teams were around three to four seconds off the pace.

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• 24 Nov.
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• 23 Nov.
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• 22 Nov.
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• 21 Nov.
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• 20 Nov.
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