Formula One news

Sepang Day 1: Kubica fastest

BMW-Sauber F1 driver Robert Kubica was the fastest driver on track in today's first out of a three-day test at the Sepang International Circuit, host to the Malaysian Grand Prix next week.

Ten out of the eleven teams are attending this week's test in Malaysia. All the teams, except Spyker F1, will prepare themselves ahead of the Malaysian Grand Prix. Thus there were ten drivers on track today as teams are allowed to run only one car in test sessions once the Formula 1 season is under way. 

Ferrari, McLaren and BMW focused on race preparation and set-up as they expect to be battling it out at the front of the field on 8 April. Both BMW and McLaren concentrated more on tyre evaluation as they look to unlock the rubber potential with Bridgestone that Ferrari already enjoys, having been partners of the tyre-maker for longer. BMW had some new aero parts to test as well as fine tuning of electronics and checking of cooling systems under extreme heat conditions, in preparation for the testing climate of Malaysia. Meanwhile McLaren was searching for a general performance uplift with new components being incorporated into the MP4-22.

Robert Kubica completed the most laps, 92, and showed that BMW-Sauber is well on the pace already in Malaysia. He was just over a tenth of a second ahead of Australian Grand Prix winner Kimi Raikkonen with a best of 1:37.187s, whilst Williams driver Alex Wurz was third quickest with a 1:36.334s. De la Rosa was about a second off Kubica's pace with a 1:37.106s.

Nelson Piquet was in the car for Renault, but the Brazilian was unable to post a fast lap as he ended up ninth, more than two seconds off the pace. However, the test driver completed just 32 laps due to minor mechanical problems. which effected his running time. 

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