The final test session of 2008 got underway today, with teams split between the location of the last test, the Jerez ciruit in Spain and the Internacional do Algarve in Portugal. The Algarve circuit, which was completed in October, held it’s first ever F1 test day.
Only McLaren and Ferrari were in action at the new circuit, with Honda scheduled to join them before being forced to pull out due to it’s ongoing search for a buyer. The 2008 championship rivals experience limited running, with strong winds all day. Gary Paffett was out for McLaren and testing the 2009 front wing, while Felipe Massa could only complete 36 laps and was feeling ill. Paffett’s final time was a 1:31.788, 1.1 seconds faster than Massa’s.
Meanwhile in Jerez, Red Bull, BMW and Williams were all in action. Sebastien Buemi was now in a Red Bull RB4, but was still topping the time sheets. His lap of 1:17.704 was over 1.6 seconds faster than Brendon Hartley, who was also out for the Austrian team. Nick Heidfeld was once again out in a 2009 spec BMW, setting the second fastest time of 1:19.223. Christian Klien was 4 tenths behind in a KERS fitted BMW. Nico Hulkenburg completed the most laps for Williams, and rounded up the times in fifth place.
Testing continues at both circuits into tomorrow.
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