Liuzzi: Bahrain test paying off

Toro Rosso were one of only three teams to accept an invitation to test at the Sakhir circuit prior to this weekend. Ferrari and Honda were the other two.

And with Liuzzi having posted the sixth quickest time today, the Italian reckons the decision to test there was the right one, even if Toro Rosso tested with their old car.

"I'd say my good time was down to the fact we did four days testing here last month and also I managed to do 33 laps today," said Liuzzi. "It was a straightforward day and the car responded well to the changes we made. It's the first time we run with the new car here.

"In the morning, it was just a case of getting to grips with the track. Then in the afternoon, we began making progress in terms of set-up and tyre work. I am not sure what our qualifying pace will be tomorrow afternoon, but overtaking is tough here, so we need to aim high.

"I am confident we can do well even though I am not particularly fond of the technical nature of this track. But we've got off to a good start, so fingers crossed."

His teammate Scott Speed, making his Grand Prix debut this weekend, was 16th quickest on a promising day for the former Minardi team.

"It sure feels a lot different coming here with the new car after we tested at this track with the old one," he said. "This one definitely handles differently. I'm still coming to terms with it at the moment. I think everyone is seeing quite a bit of oversteer at the moment as the track is dirty and difficult.

"But you have to be careful not to chase the track in terms of your settings as it's going to get better tomorrow."