Rubens Barrichello shows up in Jerez

Rubens Barrichello (Williams) approached the hundred lap mark but did not cross it, with 98 laps covered this Thursday. It must be said that the skies of Jerez did not help the teams to continue their preparation program calmly, with showers throughout the day. The track was never completely dry and the time did not drop below 1:27. The best time went to Rubens Barrichello (1:27:145), who beat Vitaly Petrov (Renault), who finished with a best lap of 1:27:828.

Several teams used the rainy conditions on track to test their pit stops, including Ferrari, a necessary exercise less than a month before the start of the football season Formula 1. The day was also marked by an exit from the track, that of Heikki Kovalainen, who was taking part in his first tests with Lotus. The Finn damaged the front of his car, ending his tests at midday. The former pilot McLaren will, however, return to the track this Friday, in order to continue the Lotus development program.

Vitaly Petrov, disappointed with the rainy days he had to face last week, had to deal with the rain again. However, the Russian driver was able to take advantage of a drying track midday to set the second fastest time of the day.

A third day of testing will take place this Friday. Most teams will change drivers, such as Ferrari, McLaren, Red Bull and Renault.