A good day for Alonso in Barcelona

Today the last test session before the 2010 Formula 1 season started in Montmelò just outside of Barcelona. Just like during the last four days in Jerez eleven cars of the thirteen teams officially enrolled went onto the Circuit de Catalunya: Campos-Meta and USF1 were missing.

Fernando Alonso started the Scuderia Ferrari work programme. The Spanish driver had a slightly agitated morning – a problem with the car’s electronics let him stop on the track during the first run, therefore missing several hours of work on the track. After he went out again just before the lunch break, which is compulsory here at the track and held from 1pm to 2pm, Fernando drove all afternoon, concentrating on the first evaluation of some new aerodynamic solutions such a long fin on the bonnet, similar to the one used on the F2008 two years ago. At the end of the day Fernando had driven 74 laps, the fastest in a time of 1.24.170.

"It wasn’t a perfect day, but it was very helpful nevertheless," Fernando told the Ferrari website at the end of the day. "We had several new things in the car and we collected some data to see how they work. Now we’ve got to understand how to exploit them. The track wasn’t great today. A little dirty and wind. It’s always interesting to drive on a circuit, where you’ll also have a Grand Prix, because you start seeing some aspects you’ll have to deal with later on. All in all I’d say it was a good day.”