Alonso tops first F1 Group Testing

[<_Spike_>]

First group testing of 2007 got underway today in Valencia and it was Alonso in the MP4-22 that finished on top, a full second ahead of former McLaren man Raikkonen in the Ferrari.

Leading times (January 30) - Valencia:

1. Fernando Alonso McLaren-Mercedes 1min 12.538secs 96 laps
2. Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari-Ferrari 1min 13.533secs 48 laps
3. Nelson Piquet Jr Renault-Renault 1min 13.550secs 31 laps
4. Franck Montagny Toyota-Toyota 1min 13.672secs 38 laps
5. Jarno Trulli Toyota-Toyota 1min 13.752secs 54 laps
6. Nick Heidfeld BMW Sauber-BMW 1min 13.863secs 56 laps
7. Giancarlo Fisichella Renault-Renault 1min 13.871secs 37 laps
8. Rubens Barrichello Honda-Honda 1min 14.018secs 35 laps
9. Sebastien Vettel BMW Sauber-BMW 1min 14.047secs 81 laps
10. Kazuki Nakajima Williams-Toyota 1min 14.527secs 79 laps
11. James Rossiter Honda-Honda 1min 14.638secs 43 laps
12. Takuma Sato Super Aguri-Honda 1min 15.684secs 31 laps
13. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1min 15.729secs 32 laps
14. Luca Badoer Ferrari-Ferrari 1min 20.030secs 47 laps

Track conditions: Wet during the morning, drying out steadily during the afternoon.

All times unofficial - courtesy of Renault

(from SkySports)

 

[Touring Mars]

Blimey... suppose you can't read too much into it right now, but that's still fairly heartening for McLaren fans atleast... funny not seeing Michael Schumacher's name up there... will probably take some getting used to...

 

[<_Spike_>]

Does indeed seem strange. As for McLaren, it does at least bring a smile to my face but I hope it's not short lived and they can continue the pace through the winter/beginning of spring and into the season

Second day, Alonso top again but times are closer this time

Testing continues on Thursday.

Leading times (January 31) - Valencia:

1. Fernando Alonso McLaren-Mercedes 1min 12.558secs 90 laps

2. Giancarlo Fisichella Renault-Renault 1min 12.731secs 40 laps

3. Heikki Kovalainen Renault-Renault 1min 12.769secs 45 laps

4. Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari-Ferrari 1min 12.869secs 52 laps

5. Nick Heidfeld BMW Sauber-BMW 1min 13.006secs 51 laps

6. Jarno Trulli Toyota-Toyota 1min 13.296secs 47 laps

7. Robert Kubica BMW Sauber-BMW 1min 13.306secs 42 laps

8. Felipe Massa Ferrari-Ferrari 1min 13.559secs 82 laps

9. Rubens Barrichello Honda-Honda 1min 13.658secs 73 laps

10. James Rossiter Honda-Honda 1min 13.733secs 28 laps

11. Ralf Schumacher Toyota-Toyota 1min 13.843secs 31 laps

12. Pedro de la Rosa McLaren-Mercedes 1min 14.277secs 40 laps

13. Kazuki Nakajima Williams-Toyota 1min 14.406secs 118 laps

14. Takuma Sato Super Aguri-Honda 1min 14.823secs 37 laps

15. David Coulthard Red Bull-Renault 1min 15.948secs 27 laps

16. Giedo van der Garde Super Aguri-Honda 1min 26.348secs 4 laps

Track conditions: Wet during the morning, dried out around mid-day, wet again from around 15.00 hours, when the rain returned.

All times unofficial - courtesy of Renault

 

[Solid Lifters]

Wow, this could mean everything, or nothing.

Still, I'm looking pretty good. I'm cheering for Alonso, and Team Ing-Renault. Unique position for myself. I like Alonso, but don't care much for his team. I love Renault, but don't care much for the drivers, though the new guy maybe somebody I can cheer for. I'm just not a Fisi fan.

 

[Omnis]

Yeah, it's good to see that Heikki is just off of Fisi's time.

 

[Cap'n Jack]

Blimey... suppose you can't read too much into it right now, but that's still fairly heartening for McLaren fans atleast... funny not seeing Michael Schumacher's name up there... will probably take some getting used to...

Haha, I completley forgot about him.

Congrats to Alonso, 'specially me being a Mclaren fan!

 

[KSaiyu]

Go Super Aguri!

 

[Danny]

I'm supporting Toro Rosso this season.

 

[darkfinal]

And I thought Alonso would slow down his pace this year, having a car that hasn't been especially designed for his driving style (like '05 and '06 Renaults).

GO ALONSO!! >

 

[MagpieRacer]

Ralph Schumacher fastest today ahead of the 2 Renaults and then Alonso. Kovalainen was only 2 hundredths slower than Fisichella.

 

[liam2maps]

I'm hoping a Super Aguri will beat the Williams. Rosberg reminds me a little of Sato at times.

 

[<_Spike_>]

Final days times...

Leading times (February 2) - Valencia:

1. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1min 11.124secs 114 laps
2. Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari-Ferrari 1min 11.839secs 115 laps
3. Robert Kubica BMW Sauber-BMW 1min 12.249secs 56 laps
4. Pedro de la Rosa McLaren-Mercedes 1min 12.396secs 65 laps
5. Giancarlo Fisichella Renault-Renault 1min 12.566secs 100 laps
6. Sebastien Vettel BMW Sauber-BMW 1min 12.670secs 73 laps
7. Heikki Kovalainen Renault-Renault 1min 12.687secs 98 laps
8. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1min 12.801secs 23 laps
9. Jenson Button Honda-Honda 1min 12.992secs 92 laps

Track conditions: Overcast and cold, but dry.

All times unofficial - courtesy of Renault