Formula One Testing Day 2: Räikkönen Getting Faster
Manama, 5th February 2008: Reigning Formula One world champion Kimi Räikkönen
today set a new benchmark for this year’s testing at the Bahrain International
Circuit with 1m 30.595s lap. Once again the Finn and his Ferrari team held
station at the top of the timesheets with their all-new F2008 cars, test driver
Luca Badoer logging a time of 1m 32.230s for the 5.41km Grand Prix circuit.
Panasonic Toyota Racing saw both of its first team drivers in action today with
Italian veteran Jarno Trulli joining his young German team mate Timo Glock. Once
again Glock’s was the faster of the two Toyota TF108 cars on track, with all
four of the Formula One machines covering a significant distance through the
course of the day.
Tomorrow will see the arrival of Räikkönen’s team-mate Felipe Massa, winner of
the 2007 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, replacing Badoer at the wheel of the
second Ferrari. Not only will Massa be starring on the track this week, but he
will kick off the biggest ever Ithmaar Group Yalla Bahrain! programme of
cultural and community events at 7.30pm this Friday evening ( February 8 ) at the
Seef Mall. Massa will be on hand to sign autographs and meet the fans while
there will be the chance to try and beat the Brazilian star’s target time around
the Bahrain International Circuit on an F1 simulator.
Tomorrow marks the end of the first three day test in Bahrain. The action will
resume on Saturday February 9, which will also be this year’s Public Day. Fans
can see the Toyota and Ferrari teams in action and enjoy family entertainment
and refreshments for a nominal fee of BD1 for adults and 500 fils for children.
VIP and corporate packages including a pit lane walk, five-star catering and
gift pack are available for BD65 per person.
In addition the Public Day will incorporate the Ithmaar Group Yalla Bahrain! F1
Football Fives, a free-to-attend event which will see 30 teams from across the
Kingdom competing in a five-a-side football tournament on a pitch in the BIC car
park.
Testing Times – Bahrain International Circuit 5/2/2008
1 Kimi Räikkönen Ferrari F2008 77 laps 1m 30.595s
2 Luca Badoer Ferrari F2008 64 laps 1m 32.230s
3 Timo Glock Toyota TF108 73 laps 1m 32.889s
4 Jarno Trulli Toyota TF108 60 laps 1m 33.379s
