Testing Gets Underway at Barcelona

Formula One testing got underway at the Barcelona circuit this morning despite concerns about the newly-laid asphalt.

Four teams and six drivers were in action at the Spanish circuit today, with the track proving very slippery in the early hours.

Some two hours after the start of the test Williams driver Antonio Pizzonia had set the quickest time, with a best lap of 1:23.565. His time was nearly 10 seconds slower than the best lap set in testing in November, when the teams tested for the last time before the new tarmac was laid.

Pizzonia and teammate Mark Webber were the only drivers on track who had covered a significant amount of laps, with the Brazilian completing 19 while the Australian only one more.

Toyota drivers Jarno Trulli and Ralf Schumacher completed just six and five laps respectively, while Vitantonio Liuzzi covered just three for the Red Bull team. A spokeswoman for Red Bull said the team would complete the morning session and then decide whether to continue for the rest of the week or move to the Valencia circuit.

World Champion Michael Schumacher got back to work for the first time since the end of last season, but by 11am local time the Ferrari driver had only covered three laps with a best time of 1:26.734.