Badoer on top in Bahrain test

Ferrari's test driver Luca Badoer posted the fastest time on a day where teams could finally work with summer-like conditions, with track temperatures passing the 30-degree mark.

Badoer was at the wheel of the F2004 fitted with a V10 engine, while teammate Felipe Massa drove the new 248 F1, both men working on fine tuning the cars' set-up. They also carried out tyre testing aimed at the first races of the 2006 season.

"I am very pleased that we have come to the Bahrain International Circuit as it is an ideal track to prepare for the season," said Badoer. "The asphalt is very good and once it has been cleaned of the sand, the track conditions remain very consistent for the rest of the session.

"This is a very important test for us because we can practice in the same conditions we will have at the first race of the season."

Massa finished as fourth fastest behind the Hondas of Anthony Davidson and James Rossiter, who continued to shine with the new RA106 car. Davidson focused mainly on set-up work and tyre evaluation, while Rossiter also carried out aero evaluation in the afternoon.

Scott Speed was in action for the Toro Rosso team, the American working with the old RB1 car as the team were unable to have the new STR 1 ready for the test following its debut at Jerez last week.

Speed spent the morning working on general set-up, and simulated a race distance in the afternoon, although he was unable to complete the programme due to a red flag late in the afternoon.

"The car ran well and it has been very useful to evaluate downforce levels and work out what level to use in the race," said chief engineer Laurent Mekies. "Considering that we have several new guys on the team, who have not worked together before, the pitstop went well.

"Unfortunately, Scott was unable to complete the race distance as the session was red flagged when another car stopped on track. We are using the RB1 here because there was no time to get the STR 1 here after its inaugural test in Jerez last week. STR 1 will be testing again in Imola next week."

Today's times:

Pos  Driver        Team                      Time      Laps
 1.  Badoer        Ferrari              (B)  1:32.309   77
 2.  Davidson      Honda                (M)  1:32.571   53
 3.  Rossiter      Honda                (M)  1:32.864   68
 4.  Massa         Ferrari              (B)  1:32.952   51
 5.  Speed         Toro Rosso-Cosworth  (M)  1:34.299   82

All Timing Unofficial