Barcelona test - day one: 23 January.
BMW Sauber driver, Jacques Villeneuve set the pace Monday, as F1 testing moved to the Circuit de Catalunya near Barcelona.
The Canadian was the only driver to break the 1 minute 18 second bracket - with a 1m 17.240s, eight tenths up on Gary Paffett, who was second for McLaren. JV completed 85 laps in the new BMW Sauber F1.06, while working on basic set-up, while his engineers also conducted some aerodynamic measurements.
BMW Sauber driver, Jacques Villeneuve set the pace Monday, as F1 testing moved to the Circuit de Catalunya near Barcelona.
The Canadian was the only driver to break the 1 minute 18 second bracket - with a 1m 17.240s, eight tenths up on Gary Paffett, who was second for McLaren. JV completed 85 laps in the new BMW Sauber F1.06, while working on basic set-up, while his engineers also conducted some aerodynamic measurements.
Villeneuve's team-mate, Nick Heidfeld was also on track, the German managing 82 laps in the interim BMW Sauber - the C24B. He spent the day working on several aerodynamic configurations as well as testing the latest tyres supplied by Michelin - his best lap a 1m 18.469s.
McLaren were the only other team in action, Paffett second fastest as previously mentioned. The Brit was running in the MP4-20 and like Heidfeld was conducting tyre tests.
Pedro de la Rosa meanwhile made the headlines by conducting a shakedown test with McLaren's 2006 car - the new MP4-21. Despite beginning work early this morning though and conducting an installation lap at 09.15 hours local time, he ended the day with just 19 laps on the board, an oil pressure problem forcing him to sit out most of the afternoon session.
"Today's first test with the MP4-21 has provided us with some useful feedback," said de la Rosa. "Unfortunately we had a problem with the oil pressure, which was why I stopped out on track shortly before lunchtime. However this is why we test, to work out any such problems and I think that considering it was a shakedown everything went well."
F1 testing now continues on Tuesday - when Ferrari, Honda and Red Bull Racing will join proceedings, before Wednesday sees the arrival of Renault, Toyota and Toro Rosso.
Leading times (23 January) - Barcelona:
Jacques Villeneuve BMW Sauber 1m 17.240s 85 laps M*Gary Paffett McLaren-Mercedes 1m 18.066s 76 laps M Pedro de la Rosa McLaren-Mercedes 1m18.252s 19 laps M*Nick Heidfeld BMW Sauber 1m 18.469s 82 laps M
[M denotes Michelin tyres / * denotes 2006 car.]
Track conditions: Cold but sunny.
All times unofficial - courtesy of McLaren.
Comparative lap times:
Spanish GP 2005:
Fastest lap: Giancarlo Fisichella Renault-Renault 1min 15.641secs
