Fernando Alonso - MP4-22 01
Lewis Hamilton - MP4-22 05
T-car (Fernando)- MP4-22 03
Vodafone McLaren Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso ended the
second Free Practice for the Bahrain Grand Prix in second and fifth places
respectively. Lewis set a time of 1:33.540 whilst Fernando did 1:33.784. The
first 13 drivers were all within a little more than a second. In the morning
session, Lewis ended up third with 1:34.110 and Fernando was fourth with
1:34.161. Lewis completed a total of 50 laps during both sessions whilst
Fernando did 45 laps.
FAST FACTS
Does the sand in the desert cause any special concerns?
There was a lot of dirt and sand on the circuit during this morning’s
practice. Consequently the track conditions are constantly evolving and will
continue to do so during the weekend with all the Formula 1 running and
support races taking place
Since the Malaysian Grand Prix last weekend has there been an opportunity
to make any additional improvements to the MP4-22?
We have had a few revised parts coming from the McLaren Technology Centre
which we will be using on the cars this weekend. However due to the limited
time available the main focus in our development work is on the test in
Barcelona at the end of the month.
What was the focus of today’s programme?
We conducted tyre evaluation and general set-up work. However the track
conditions made things challenging.
Did the test at the Bahrain circuit prior to the Australian Grand Prix give
any advantage?
The MP4-22 has evolved since the test and as a result there is no particular
benefit which will allow us to minimise running before qualifying. In addition
the track conditions are constantly changing so the team want as much running
as possible.
FERNANDO ALONSO
"Two trouble-free practice sessions where we made positive progress. The
track was very dirty and continued to improve throughout the session. We spent
our time perfecting the set-up and evaluating the tyres. I completed some long
runs and all in all I think we are closer to the Ferraris than we have been so
far this season on a Friday but it’s a long weekend so we will see what
happens."
LEWIS HAMILTON
"It has been a positive session today. In the first practice the track
was very dirty and slippery so there was no point spending too much time
looking at the set-up. In the 2nd session we began our fine tuning and
completed a couple of long runs. I think I was quicker and more consistent
than previously in the long runs which is positive and there is definitely
more to come. We now have quite a bit of data to look at but so far so
good."
RON DENNIS
"A positive start with two trouble free sessions. We struggled slightly
with the track conditions in the first session where it was extremely
slippery, but managed to complete our programme. Our pace in the long runs is
encouraging so we will see what the rest of the weekend brings."
NORBERT HAUG
"An interesting Friday practice which saw the top-five in the second
session finish within a quarter of a second. Lewis and Fernando each completed
50 and 45 laps respectively."
Session 2
| Pos |
Driver |
Constructor |
Time |
Laps |
| 1 |
K. Raikkonen |
Ferrari |
1:33.527 |
33 |
| 2 |
L. Hamilton |
Mclaren Mercedes |
1:33.540 |
33 |
| 3 |
R. Kubica |
BMW Sauber |
1:33.732 |
37 |
| 4 |
F. Massa |
Ferrari |
1:33.772 |
28 |
| 5 |
F. Alonso |
Mclaren Mercedes |
1:33.784 |
30 |
| 6 |
A. Wurz |
Williams |
1:33.973 |
26 |
| 7 |
N. Heidfeld |
BMW Sauber |
1:34.076 |
34 |
| 8 |
N. Rosberg |
Williams |
1:34.189 |
34 |
| 9 |
D. Coulthard |
Red Bull |
1:34.359 |
32 |
| 10 |
J. Trulli |
Toyota |
1:34.366 |
33 |
| 11 |
R. Barrichello |
Honda |
1:34.391 |
28 |
| 12 |
H. Kovalainen |
Renault |
1:34.585 |
33 |
| 13 |
A. Davidson |
Super Aguri |
1:34.595 |
29 |
| 14 |
M. Webber |
Red Bull |
1:34.677 |
24 |
| 15 |
G. Fisichella |
Renault |
1:34.796 |
34 |
| 16 |
T. Sato |
Super Aguri |
1:35.001 |
35 |
| 17 |
V. Liuzzi |
Toro Rosso |
1:35.268 |
38 |
| 18 |
R. Schumacher |
Toyota |
1:35.427 |
29 |
| 19 |
A. Sutil |
Spyker |
1:35.582 |
31 |
| 20 |
S. Speed |
Toro Rosso |
1:35.687 |
34 |
| 21 |
C. Alber |
Spyker |
1:35.835 |
30 |
| 22 |
J. Button |
Honda |
1:36.079 |
19 |
Session 1
| Pos |
Driver |
Constructor |
Time |
Laps |
| 1 |
Raikkonen |
Ferrari |
1:33.162 |
21 |
| 2 |
Massa |
Ferrari |
1:33.679 + 0.517 |
17 |
| 3 |
Hamilton |
McLaren Mercedes |
1:34.110 + 0.948 |
17 |
| 4 |
Alonso |
McLaren Mercedes |
1:34.161 + 0.999 |
15 |
| 5 |
Trulli |
Toyota |
1:34.896 + 1.734 |
26 |
| 6 |
Heidfeld |
BMW Sauber |
1:35.076 + 1.914 |
30 |
| 7 |
Kubica |
BMW Sauber |
1:35.248 + 2.086 |
24 |
| 8 |
Liuzzi |
Toro Rosso-Ferrari |
1:35.292 + 2.130 |
23 |
| 9 |
Rosberg |
Williams-Toyota |
1:35.375 + 2.213 |
19 |
| 10 |
Wurz |
Williams Toyota |
1:35.398 + 2.236 |
20 |
| 11 |
Button |
Honda |
1:35.445 + 2.283 |
24 |
| 12 |
Kovalainen |
Renault |
1:35.474 + 2.312 |
21 |
| 13 |
R.Schumacher |
Toyota |
1:35.573 + 2.411 |
24 |
| 14 |
Fisichella |
Renault |
1:35.697 + 2.535 |
17 |
| 15 |
Speed |
Toro Rosso-Ferrari |
1:35.726 + 2.564 |
22 |
| 16 |
Sato |
Super Aguri Honda |
1:35.856 + 2.694 |
15 |
| 17 |
Barrichello |
Honda |
1:35.911 + 2.749 |
20 |
| 18 |
Davidson |
Super Aguri-Honda |
1:36.243 + 3.081 |
6 |
| 19 |
Webber |
Red Bull Renault |
1:36.483 + 3.321 |
18 |
| 20 |
Coulthard |
Red Bull Renault |
1:36.513 + 3.351 |
7 |
| 21 |
Sutil |
Spyker Ferrari |
1:37.084 + 3.922 |
27 |
| 22 |
Alber |
Spyker Ferrari |
1:38.258 + 5.096 |
29 |
