McLaren duo on top at Barcelona
McLaren once again outpaced main rivals Ferrari on the second day of this week's official test at Barcelona in Spain on Tuesday, with Lewis Hamilton and Heikki Kovalainen topping the timesheets on a completely dry day
With the duo evaluating the latest developments to their MP4-23, the fact that Hamilton was able to lap almost half a second faster than third quickest Kimi Raikkonen will have provided a big confidence boost to the team - irrespective of the influence of fuel loads.
McLaren concentrated on pitstop practice and qualifying simulation in the morning, working on longer runs in the afternoon. Both drivers stopped on track with fuel coupling issues, but the team said the problems were quickly resolved.
Nico Rosberg showed once again that Williams could be one of the big surprises of the year as he set the fourth fastest time, ahead of Ferrari's Felipe Massa and Giancarlo Fisichella in the Force India.
Sebastian Vettel showed a good dose of speed in his first run in the Red Bull Racing RB4, as he filled in for the injured David Coulthard, to set the seventh fastest time.
The team will make a decision tomorrow morning on whether Vettel continues or Coulthard can return to action without the risk of aggravating his neck injury.
Robert Kubica was eighth quickest, while Jenson Button finally delivered some improved performance from the Honda Racing RA108 to end up 10th overall.
Former world champion Fernando Alonso ended up a disappointing 13th fastest, with Timo Glock at the bottom of the timesheets for Toyota.
"After all the disruptions due to the weather it was good to get a full day of running at last," said Glock. "But it was a difficult day for me.
"We spent the day looking at set-up but with all the changes we struggled to make the most of the improved track conditions and the extra grip. So we will have to analyse why that is overnight and aim to make a step forward tomorrow."
Today's times:
Pos Driver Team Time Laps 1. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:21.234 81 2. Kovalainen McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:21.434 68 3. Raikkonen Ferrari (B) 1:21.722 72 4. Rosberg Williams-Toyota (B) 1:22.309 75 5. Massa Ferrari (B) 1:22.513 102 6. Fisichella Force India-Ferrari (B) 1:22.516 102 7. Vettel Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:22.558 109 8. Kubica BMW-Sauber (B) 1:22.625 94 9. Button Honda (B) 1:22.659 67 10. Liuzzi Force India-Ferrari (B) 1:22.942 89 11. Nakajima Williams-Toyota (B) 1:22.977 100 12. Trulli Toyota (B) 1:23.023 98 13. Alonso Renault (B) 1:23.112 77 14. Barrichello Honda (B) 1:23.169 74 15. Heidfeld BMW-Sauber (B) 1:23.284 77 16. Bourdais Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:23.323 98 17. Webber Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:23.458 58 18. Piquet Renault (B) 1:23.467 45 19. Glock Toyota (B) 1:23.561 80 All Timing Unofficial
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