German Car Zone

Kubica fastest on day one at Sepang

Robert Kubica maintained BMW-Sauber's impressive early season form with the quickest time on the opening day of testing at Sepang on Tuesday.

The Polish driver, who was forced to retire from the season opening Australian Grand Prix with gearbox problems, edged out world championship leader Kimi Raikkonen by just more than one tenth of a second.

Kubica's F1.07 car featured new aerodynamic solutions for the Sepang circuit, as well as modifications to the gearbox that the team hoped would overcome the problem he suffered at Albert Park.

Behind Raikkonen, Williams' Alexander Wurz showed improved form for his team - as the outfit spent time focusing on improving their single-lap pace. The Austrian also evaluated new Bridgestone tyre markings late in the day.

Rubens Barrichello showed some slightly better pace from Honda Racing after their disastrous Australian Grand Prix. The new RA107 was fitted with new front suspension components and their revised aero package, with the team trying to establish back-to-back tests to work out how much better the new parts are.

McLaren test driver Pedro de la Rosa, who hands over his car to Lewis Hamilton tomorrow, was fifth fastest, ahead of Toyota's Franck Montagny who brought out the only red flag of the day when his car stopped with suspected drivetrain problems just before lunch.

Takuma Sato began work for Super Aguri to set the seventh fastest time but new aerodynamic parts due to be evaluated for the Malaysian Grand Prix only arrived late in the day so will not be run until tomorrow.

Behind eighth fastest David Coulthard, Nelson Piquet Jr. tried some minor engine modifications on the R27, with Scott Speed slowest out of the 10 cars present.

Tuesday's testing times:


Pos Driver Make Time Laps
1. Kubica BMW-Sauber ( 1:36.187 92
2. Raikkonen Ferrari ( 1:36.302 54
3. Wurz Williams-Toyota ( 1:36.334 89
4. Barrichello Honda (cool.gif 1:36.826 82
5. De la Rosa McLaren-Mercedes ( 1:37.106 60
6. Montagny Toyota ( 1:37.267 73
7. Sato Super Aguri-Honda ( 1:37.389 72
8. Coulthard Red Bull-Renault ( 1:37.609 82
9. Piquet Renault ( 1:38.199 32
10. Speed Toro Rosso-Ferrari ( 1:38.503 69

I just hope Kubica doesn't run into trouble at the actual race...he has great skill!

Well BMW said they've worked on the gearbox issue.

Piquet Jnr. or Nelsinho is perhaps the most talented driver on that page! That kid is really something. Now if Renault can give him a good car.

I suppose it's ironic

I agree Piquet jr, in my eyes is better than even Hamilton. Given the right car he could be super fast.

Are you serious ??

Day 3:

Pos Driver Team Times Laps

1. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:35.918 57
2. Webber Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:36.138 62
3. R.Schumacher Toyota (B) 1:36.700 69
4. Liuzzi Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:36.712 56
5. Massa Ferrari (B) 1:36.947 64
6. Rosberg Williams-Toyota (B) 1:37.070 71
7. Button Honda (B) 1:37.472 92
8. Davidson Super Aguri-Honda (B) 1:37.606 44
9. Heidfeld BMW Sauber (B) 1:38.551 35
10. Kovalainen Renault (B) 1:39.654 20

Wonder why they still give the brand of tire in the order.

Yep...I've seen some of his races where he was up against Hamilton. He was very much in line with Micheal's style of being calm and collective while Hamilton showed some distress...especially with Piquet breathing down his neck. As far some of the races I've seen Piquet was in the same bucket of Sh!t as Kimi. He is fast as hell but he had an unreliable car. So given the right car he is as fast as, if not faster than hamilton. I'm not taking credit away from Hamilton, he is quite fast but I think Piquet ended up with the short end of the stick. Just my opinion though.