Teams regroup for Jerez test 09 Feb 2010
With March’s Bahrain Grand Prix just 30 days away, on-track preparations for the 2010 season step up this week, as the second official Formula One test of the year gets underway at Jerez on Wednesday. Ten teams are expected in action for the four-day session at the Spanish circuit.
Following its online launch on Tuesday, Force India’s new VJM03 will enjoy its maiden public run on Wednesday, with driver Vitantonio Liuzzi behind the wheel. Liuzzi will drive for two days before handing over the car to team mate Adrian Sutil, who’ll be in action on Friday and Saturday.
Virgin Racing’s new VR-01 will also enjoy its first public outing, following a successful shakedown at Silverstone last week. Timo Glock and Lucas di Grassi are both scheduled to drive the Nick Wirth-designed car.
The third - and final - debutant on Wednesday will be the new Red Bull RB6. After skipping the first official test last week in Valencia, the team have spent an extra few days in the wind tunnel honing the Renault-powered car. As the successor to their 2009 championship contender, the RB6 is one of the most widely-anticipated of this year’s new cars. Red Bull’s driver line up of Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber are both expected to drive over the four days.
McLaren, meanwhile, are due back in action at Jerez following the MP4-25’s debut appearance at Valencia. Reigning world champion Jenson Button will be in charge of driving duties for two days from Wednesday, before handing the car over to team mate (and 2008 title holder) Lewis Hamilton on Friday.
Ferrari will also give their new F10 its second test outing at Jerez, with Fernando Alonso in action over the opening two days followed by team mate Felipe Massa from Friday. Former Ferrari driver Michael Schumacher, and team mate Nico Rosberg, will be hard at work too with Mercedes in the MGP W01.
Kamui Kobayashi and Pedro de la Rosa will once again get behind the wheel of the new BMW Sauber, no doubt hoping the Ferrari-powered C29 continues to show the same pace it enjoyed last week at Valencia. Renault, Williams and Toro Rosso will all be back in action too, as they continue to prepare their new cars.
Check back throughout the week for updates on the teams’ testing progress and the latest images. Note that all schedules are provisional and subject to change.
