Sato Goes Quickest at Mugello
Japanese Takuma Sato edged his BAR teammate Anthony Davidson to top the times in today's testing session at Mugello
Sato, whose team joined the test today, finished just one hundred of a second in front of test driver Davidson as both worked on their preparations for the Spanish Grand Prix next week.
World Champion Michael Schumacher and teammate Rubens Barrichello took over from Ferrari test drivers Marc Gene and Luca Badoer on the team's second day of testing.
Both men worked with the F2005 car, continuing with the programme of tyre and aerodynamics testing. Barrichello was the quickest of the two after 111 laps.
The Minardi team suffered an embarrassing setback to one of their rare Formula One tests when their cars collided.
Christijan Albers, a regular racer, was in the team's new PS05 car while Chanoch Nissany, a test driver who has never competed in a Grand Prix, drove the old PS04B.
The accident caused slight damage to both cars, sidelining them for the afternoon. Austrian Patrick Friesacher was able to continue testing.
"It's difficult to hide the fact that we're disappointed by the crash between our two drivers, as it has put us behind with the scheduled test programme," said team manager Massimo Rivola. "On the positive side, Patrick was able to do some useful running and, as a result, we have made progress on improving reliability.
"In addition, we are grateful to Bridgestone for making available a number of different tyre compounds for evaluation at this test.
"Finally, I would like to make it clear that Minardi is fully respecting the testing arrangement that is in place with other teams, and although we have three chassis present here at Mugello, we have only allowed two cars on track at the same time. We will now hope fervently for a better day tomorrow."
Today's times:
Pos Driver Team-Engine Tyres Time Laps 1. Sato BAR-Honda (M) 1:20.647 64 2. Davidson BAR-Honda (M) 1:20.657 55 3. Barrichello Ferrari (B) 1:20.764 127 4. M.Schumacher Ferrari (B) 1:20.899 111 5. Friesacher Minardi-Cosworth (B) 1:25.623 38 6. Albers Minardi-Cosworth (B) 1:27.401 15 7. Nissany Minardi-Cosworth (B) 1:39.519 26 All Timing Unofficial
The “solemn promise” that cost quiet hero Brooks an F1 title
After two terrifying crashes, one of the best British racers of the 1950s retired before his career peaked. But that’s why GP Racing’s MAURICE HAMILTON was able to speak to Tony Brooks in 2014. Like his friend Stirling Moss, Brooks was regarded as one of the best drivers never to have won the world championship. Here, as our tribute to Brooks who died last month, is that interview in full
Inside the Faenza facility where AlphaTauri’s F1 pragmatic vision is realised
AlphaTauri’s mission in F1 is to sell clothes and train young drivers rather than win the championship – but you still need a cutting-edge factory to do that. Team boss Franz Tost takes GP Racing’s OLEG KARPOV on a guided tour of a facility that’s continuing to grow
Connecting two of Ferrari's favourite F1 sons
Gilles Villeneuve's exploits behind the wheel of a Ferrari made him a legend to the tifosi, even 40 years after his death. The team's current Formula 1 star Charles Leclerc enjoys a similar status, and recently got behind the wheel of a very special car from the French-Canadian’s career
How a 30cm metal wire triggered open warfare in the F1 paddock
Porpoising has become the key talking point during the 2022 Formula 1 season, as teams battle to come to terms with it. An FIA technical directive ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix and a second stay appearing on the Mercedes cars only served to create a bigger debate and raise tensions further
Does Verstappen have any weaknesses left?
Having extended his Formula 1 points lead with victory in Canada, Max Verstappen has raised his game further following his 2021 title triumph. Even on the days where Red Bull appears to be second best to Ferrari, Verstappen is getting the most out of the car in each race. So, does he have any weaknesses that his title rivals can exploit?
How F1's future fuels can shape the automotive sector
In 2026, Formula 1 plans to make the switch to a fully sustainable fuel, as the greater automotive world considers its own alternative propulsion methods. Biogasoline and e-fuels both have merit as 'drop-in' fuels but, equally, both have their shortcomings...
The breakthrough behind Sainz’s best weekend of F1 2022 so far
OPINION: Carlos Sainz came close to winning in Monaco but needed that race’s specific circumstances for his shot at a maiden Formula 1 victory to appear. Last weekend in Canada, he led the line for Ferrari in Charles Leclerc’s absence from the front. And there’s a key reason why Sainz has turned his 2022 form around
Canadian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2022
Plenty of high scores but just a single perfect 10 from the first Montreal race in three years, as Max Verstappen fended off late pressure from Carlos Sainz. Here’s Autosport’s assessment on the Formula 1 drivers from the Canadian Grand Prix