27/02/2007
NEWS STORY
The F1 teams will be back in action today as the final phase of pre-season testing gets underway at Sakhir in Bahrain and Barcelona in Spain.
Williams and Spyker have headed up from Valencia to the Circuit de Catalunya where they begin testing this morning. There are many, not least Bridgestone, who question the sense in running 'solo', but both teams no doubt had their reasons.
Bridgestone is at pains to point out that both teams will be given all the (shareable) data gleaned from the Bahrain test, but one cannot help but feel that Williams and Spyker would have benefited more from running alongside the opposition, especially with the new season less than three weeks away.
The remaining teams are in action at Sakhir, including Honda, whose drivers, having flown to London on Sunday for yesterday's livery launch have now jetted back to Bahrain for the team's final pre-season test.
The fastest time last week was posted by BMW's Nick Heidfeld (1:30.469), however, the McLarens and Ferraris were in touch, as was Jenson Button. Renault, on the other hand, has focussed on reliability as opposed to fast times, and at this stage it remains almost impossible to claim who's looking the best bet for Melbourne, far less championship honours.
As ever, Pitpass will bring you all the times, news and gossip.