Formula One news

Red Bull enjoys strong Friday

The Red Bull team is in a positive mood, having completed a total of 94 laps and rounded off the day with both cars in the top five. Mark Webber headed Sebastian Vettel in the second timed practice session in Shanghai, with the pairing separated by just 62 thousandths of a second.

"We did the normal tyre comparisons today," reported Australian Webber, who lies ninth in the drivers' championship. "They are important ahead of Sunday as they might be quite a challenge here; the guys did a great job and the car ran faultlessly, which is always a benefit on a Friday. We've dried out from Malaysia and, instead, we had perfect driving conditions today, so we'll see how we go tomorrow - I enjoyed it out there."

Ironically, the Red Bull RB5 is a competitive, front-running car competing without a double diffuser or the Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) and, with a new diffuser expected for Monaco, the drivers could find themselves challenging for titles this year. "Overall, it was a quite good day," said Vettel. "Unfortunately, in the second practice we had a problem with the rear suspension - it was going to take too much time to fix so we had to stop earlier than planned. Nevertheless, we got some useful information from the car; the main task here for all the teams and drivers is to manage the different tyre compounds. Graining is the main issue, but thankfully I have my helmet and visor which protects my eyes as the rubber is coming off!"

Vettel's referral to the graining process relates to the gradual wearing away of a tyre, as small pieces of rubber begin to roll on the surface which creates a 'marbles' effect, and an obvious loss of grip, although usually for short periods of time.

more news

• 28 Nov.
  • Lola ready to enter Formula 1
  • Raikkonen close to Citroen WRC deal
  • Tung looking for 'useful' test
• 27 Nov.
  • Montreal seals Formula One contract
  • GPUpdate TV: Domenicali - high hopes for 2010
  • Jerez test: The cast
  • Wurz plays down USF1 link
  • Renault to test Baguette, Tung and Di Grassi
  • Alonso makes second visit to Ferrari
  • Force India confirms Sutil and Liuzzi
  • All new teams now FOTA members
  • Sauber buys team back from BMW
  • De la Rosa pushing for race drive
  • Ecclestone: I won't buy Donington
  • Haug becomes part of F1 in Schools
  • Volkswagen to provide F1 engines?
• 26 Nov.
  • Alguersuari: 2010 contract is signed
  • Conway and Ericsson to test for Mercedes
  • 4 driver options left for Lotus
  • 'F1 in need of Schumacher return' - Verstappen
• 25 Nov.
  • 'Fantastic opportunity' - Di Resta on Force India test
  • Recap: N.Technology court bid fails
  • BMW testers excited about Jerez
  • Brawn disappointed with Button drives, ponders Lauda
  • Piquet to drive in Massa kart race
  • Brawn aero chief wins award
  • Gillett disappointed with government position
  • Mercedes hopes to confirm line-up by Christmas
• 24 Nov.
  • Briatore verdict expected in January
  • Donington still hopeful over F1 race
  • Montreal race confirmation imminent
  • Massa names drivers for karting event
  • Campos car passes FIA safety tests
  • Strong test could seal drive, says Mallya
  • Force India to test di Resta and Hildebrand
  • Courts to hear Briatore case
  • Silverstone GP deal forthcoming
• 23 Nov.
  • GPUpdate TV: Sam Michael - building on 2009
  • Theissen waiting on entry decision
  • Mercedes delighted with Rosberg confirmation

Homepage