Williams’ Nico Hulkenberg set the fastest lap on the second day of testing in Barcelona. Hulkenberg clocked a 1:20.614 from 99 laps in the FW32. Williams technical director Sam Michael explained the team’s order of the day:

“Nico finished his last day of winter testing today with a good run of laps. Our programme included the evaluation of a new sidepod, starts practice and some additional work on the set-up of the FW32. We’re making progress, but there’s still plenty to do.”

Sam Michael

Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso was second fastest setting a 1:20.637 from 133 laps. The Spanish driver’s programme consisted of set-up testing and an assessment of new aerodynamic components, as well as a race simulation, which was completed successfully.

Sauber’s Pedro de la Rosa was third fastest. Sauber ran a simulation of free practice, qualifying and a race distance in one day with excellent track conditions and zero technical problems for the C29. de la Rosa said:

“Today was a very good preparation for the season’s start in Bahrain. The reliability of the car was perfect and I think the performance was also good, especially in the race simulation. It was a very good exercise and I feel we have now done everything possible to get ready for the first Grand Prix. It was also a big day for me because it has been a while since I last completed a race distance. I feel very well and also really confident now.”

Pedro de la Rosa

Force India’s Vitantonio Liuzzi was 4th ahead of Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel, who clocked a 1:21.258 from 125 laps in the Red Bull RB6, on a ‘good day’ for the German:

“It was good today – we didn’t have any major problems. We had to stop in the afternoon for a minor issue, but it’s quite normal in testing. When you’re testing, you don’t want to risk any damage so it’s best to switch the car off and stop if you don’t have to push when there’s an alert in the background. We had a lot of rain in Jerez so we still have a lot to do over the last two days here, such as finding out more about the tyres and doing some set up work.”

Sebastian Vettel

Toro Rosso’s Jaime Alguersuari was 6th in the STR5, finishing ahead of Michael Schumacher. Schumi recorded a fastest of a 1:21.689 from his 85 laps in the MGP W01. Michael worked on developing the balance and set-up of the car over longer runs along with further practice of the team’s race weekend procedures, including pit stops and practice starts, in preparation for the first race.

In 8th was McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton, and 9th Robert Kubica of Renault, who’s running was limited due to a suspension problem on the R30 in the afternoon. The team’s chief engineer Alan Permane explained further:

“Robert was in the car today for his first laps at Barcelona in the R30. We spent the morning doing some set-up work, but in the afternoon we had a problem with the suspension, which limited our running. We’re still looking into the issue and will have the car fixed and ready for tomorrow morning.”

Alan Permane

10th was Jarno Trulli in the Lotus, managing a 1:25.524 from 70 laps, and after 52 laps, Virgin Racing’s Timo Glock was last, with a fastest lap of a 1:25.942.

Results

1. Nico Hulkenberg, Williams, 1:20.614, 99 Laps
2. Fernando Alonso, Ferrari, 1:20.637, 133 Laps
3. Pedro de la Rosa, BMW Sauber, 1:20.973, 114 Laps
4. Vitantonio Liuzzi, Force India, 1:21.056, 90 Laps
5. Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull, 1:21.258, 125 Laps
6. Jaime Alguersuari, Toro Rosso, 1:21.571, 104 Laps
7. Michael Schumacher, Mercedes GP, 1:21.689, 85 Laps
8. Lewis Hamilton, McLaren, 1:22.152, 93 Laps
9. Robert Kubica, Renault, 1:24.912, 53 Laps
10. Jarno Trulli, Lotus, 1:25.524, 70 Laps
11. Timo Glock, Virgin, 1:25.942, 52 Laps

Gallery