Vettel ends 2007 testing on top
Sebastian Vettel brought Formula One action in 2007 to a close with the fastest time on the final day of testing at Jerez in Spain
The Scuderia Toro Rosso driver completed 100 laps to set his best time of 1:18.213 with slick tyres and 2008 levels of downforce, to edge out BMW Sauber's Robert Kubica by two tenths of a second.
Although Nico Rosberg, also on slicks, ended up third quickest despite a spectacular engine blow-up in the afternoon, a lot of eyebrows were raised when Michael Schumacher set the fourth quickest time running slick tyres but with 2009 levels of downforce.
A lot of drivers have struggled to get speed out of the estimated 30 percent cut in downforce levels experienced this week but, despite a spin at Turn Two early in the day, Schumacher still managed to set a time less than one second off Vettel's best.
Behind fifth fastest Kazuki Nakajima, Toyota's Timo Glock was also running with the reduced down force levels. Teammate Jarno Trulli finished down in ninth after testing slicks and 2009 downforce levels.
"We tried to achieve many things today so it was quite busy for me," said Trulli. "I used the new slick tyres and they gave a lot more grip and were pretty consistent. We also tried the tyres with 2009 levels of downforce which was quite different and a bit tricky.
"It was not easy to understand everything because we tried so many different things during the day. We collected a lot of data and now we must study that and figure out the solution.
"We tried to do as many laps as possible, which was our main target in order to put mileage on the new rear end and 2008 ECU."
Super Aguri duo Anthony Davidson and Takuma Sato also tried out the reduced downforce levels, while Marko Asmer continued to set respectable times on his return to the cockpit for BMW Sauber. The Estonian brought out the red flags just after 12pm when he ran off the track.
Force India duo Giedo van der Garde and Roldan Rodriguez, who suffered an engine failure in the morning, ended the day at the bottom of the timesheets.
"The test has been a very fruitful one for the team," said Vijay Mallya, Force India's managing director.
"Not only have we demonstrated the strong potential of the team by attracting five highly talented drivers to test for us, it's also been very motivating for the team to have the benefit of their experience to help develop the car.
"This week has had a very positive impact on the motivation of the mechanics, engineers and all involved and has shown the sporting community that we are serious about what Force India wants to achieve in Formula One."
Today's times:
Pos Driver Team Time Laps 1. Vettel Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:18.213 100 2. Kubica BMW-Sauber (B) 1:18.410 119 3. Rosberg Williams-Toyota (B) 1:18.796 97 4. M.Schumacher Ferrari (B) 1:19.136 58 5. Nakajima Williams-Toyota (B) 1:19.611 76 6. Glock Toyota (B) 1:19.961 58 7. Massa Ferrari (B) 1:20.000 45 8. Bourdais Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:20.033 87 9. Trulli Toyota (B) 1:20.229 69 10. Coulthard Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:20.657 72 11. Davidson Super Aguri-Honda (B) 1:20.821 102 12. Sato Super Aguri-Honda (B) 1:21.092 84 13. Asmer BMW-Sauber (B) 1:21.333 80 14. Van der Garde Force India-Ferrari (B) 1:22.321 81 15. Rodriguez Force India-Ferrari (B) 1:22.508 82 All Timing Unofficial
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