FORMULA ONE:TIMO GLOCK yesterday proved this season's Toyota is fast in the dry as well as the wet. After topping the unofficial timesheets yesterday at the end of a rain-hit test session at the Jerez circuit, Glock followed suit on a primarily sunny day following a damp start.
The German completed a mammoth 142 laps of the 4.423km track, ending the day by becoming only the second driver this week to dip under the 80-second mark, albeit running a qualifying simulation.
Glock posted a time of one minute 19.814 seconds, almost half a second clear of Ferrari’s Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso in his Renault, with the Spaniard racking up the miles by completing 152 laps.
“That was a productive day,” smiled Glock.
“In the morning we were again a bit unlucky with the conditions, but then we got some dry running for the rest of the day.
“We did a lot of set-up work, and late on we did some shorter runs to make it through the programme.
“We’ve made it through a lot of miles over these two days and we’re making useful progress.”
Former double world champion Alonso was another delighted with his day’s work.
“At this stage of the season it’s important to have as much time in the car as possible,” said Alonso.
“You need to get used to the new rules, such as the moveable wings and the KERS system, and so I’m happy to have done so much today.
“Every day we keep learning new things and I’m feeling more and more comfortable in the car.Hopefully tomorrow we can have another dry day to build on the work we did today.”
McLaren’s Heikki Kovalainen was fourth quickest, finishing 0.721 seconds adrift of Glock.
Adrian Sutil continued Force India’s early fine start in their new car he concedes “has potential” with the fifth best time.
Mark Webber was sixth overall in his Red Bull, followed by the BMW Sauber of Robert Kubica, whilst Nico Rosberg brought up the rear in his Williams, almost 1.6 secondss off the pace.
Brazilian Rubens Barrichello, meanwhile, expects to be thrown a Formula One lifeline once Honda confirm the survival of their team.
“My faith says that next week I’ll be driving a competitive car in the tests in Barcelona – although I have no document in my hands that assures me of that,” he told Sao Paulo’s O Estado newspaper yesterday.
“I’ve lived four months of waiting and I’m not going to celebrate before crossing the finish line.”
While Barrichello was optimistic of staying with the team, compatriot Bruno Senna – the 36-year-old’s rival for the position – was quoted as saying he would have to consider other options.
“I’m kind of resigned to trying something else,” he told the newspaper. “I had a meeting today with Ross Brawn and he cancelled.
“I’m just a little upset because this situation has dragged on for so long, making me lose better professional possibilities.”
If confirmed, Barrichello looks sure to partner Britain’s Jenson Button in an unchanged line-up.
Honda have yet to confirm the sale of the team but, with the season starting in Australia on March 29th, a management buy-out led by team principal Ross Brawn appears imminent.
There was no comment from the team by last night.
