L1: Barrichello shows up

Under the Valencia sun and in a temperature of 27°C, the drivers did not rush at the start for this first free practice session of the European Grand Prix. After 15 minutes of observation where everyone takes the opportunity to do a first installation lap, the first drivers appear on the Valencia circuit. Jaime Alguersuari (Toro Rosso) and Sebastien Buemi (Toro Rosso) are the first two to put their names at the top of the time sheet. In 1:46.458 then 1:44.998, the Swiss achieved the first benchmark. Meanwhile, many drivers relax in the pits and leave it to the Toro Rosso drivers to clean up the track.

For his first Grand Prix, Romain Grosjean (Renault) quickly joined the two men on the track and set a first time of 1:47.089 at the wheel of the R29. After a half-hour session, around ten drivers finally appeared on the Valencia urban track. Nico Rosberg (Williams) quickly took the best time in 1:44.468 while Nick Heidfeld (BMW) and Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) follow just behind.

Shortly after, Fernando Alonso (Renault) arrives in the port of Valencia and satisfies the few supporters present by setting the best time in 1:43.413 then 1:43.345. The pilots Red Bull and Brawn GP are waiting for the track to clean before starting their work program. Just before mid-session, Rubens Barrichello (Brawn GP) and Mark Webber (Red Bull) finally set off then it was the turn of their respective teammates, Jenson Button (Brawn GP) and Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull), to take their first laps.

Jenson Button did not take long to shine by setting a time of 1:43.074 which allowed him to take the lead. Behind, Webber, Alonso, Kubica (BMW), Sutil (Force India), Nakajima (Williams) and Hamilton (McLaren) follow in this order. With only thirty minutes left in this first free practice session, Button is still in the lead and now precedes Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) who set a time of 1:43.088.

Twenty minutes from the checkered flag, Heikki Kovalainen (McLaren) then Lewis Hamilton were the first to go under the 1:43 mark with a time of 1:42.754. Rubens Barrichello does not see it that way and in turn improves (1:42.460). The times no longer move much and it is ultimately the Brazilian who remains in front. McLaren drivers Heikki Kovalainen? who overtook his teammate in the final moments? and Lewis Hamilton complete the top 3. Jenson Button and Sebastian Vettel follow just behind. Romain Grosjean was not unworthy as he finished 17th in the session. As for Jaime Alguersuari, he achieved the 13th time, just 1.177 sec. by Barrichello. Finally, Luca Badoer (Ferrari), who replaces Felipe Massa for the European Grand Prix, sets the 20th time, three seconds behind the best.