Webber: time is running out
Williams star Mark Webber admitted that time is running out to get the FW27 on the pace before the season-opening Australian Grand Prix after McLaren's test drivers Pedro de la Rosa and Alex Wurz were fastest on the first day of the final pre-season test at Valencia in a pair of last year's MP4-19s
Webber, who was fourth fastest of five runners at the Spanish test track on Monday, told autosport.com that he could use more testing time before the start of the season.
"We stopped again because of a couple of problems but it was not as bad as looks," he said. "We are still ticking a few boxes on reliability. It was an okay day but Melbourne comes too soon. I wish it wasn't until December. I have only got one more day before Nick [Heidfeld] takes over.
"I go to Australia on Wednesday and then on Saturday I go over the bridge at Sydney. I am looking forward to going to Melbourne, but that is going to be a good test for everyone".
McLaren used two of last year's cars with aerodymamics set to simulate 2005 downforce levels, as it worked through a tyre programme. The team's three new MP4-20s are scheduled to be shaken down by Kimi Raikkonen at Silverstone on Tuesday before being shipped to Australia.
Ferrari's Michael Schumacher was the fastest man on track in a pukka 2005 car. The German, along with team-mate Rubens Barrichello, is taking part in a crucial Bridgestone test this week. The Japanese tyre manufacturer's technical manager Hisao Suganuma was said to be very content with the work Ferrari achieved on the first day.
Bridgestone has yet to combine all of its compound, casing and construction work over the winter into a single tyre and is using this week to finalise its tyre specifications for Melbourne.
BAR will join the test with a brand new 007 chassis for Takuma Sato on Tuesday, with Jenson Button taking over driving duties on Wednesday and Thursday. Toyota will also run Olivier Panis in Spain.
Pedro de la Rosa (McLaren), 1m09.023s, 125*
Alexander Wurz (McLaren), 1m09.053s, 107*
Michael Schumacher (Ferrari), 1m11.338s, 90
Mark Webber (Williams), 1m11.513s , 81
Rubens Barrichello (Ferrari), 1m11.672s, 84
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