Vettel ends Barcelona testing on top

Wednesday 19th November 2008

Sebastian Vettel continued his red-hot form for his new Red Bull team on the third and final day of testing in Barcelona.

The young German, who swapped Toro Rosso for sister team Red Bull following the completion of the 2008 Formula One season, also topped the timesheets on day two at the Circuit de Catalunya.

After setting a fastest time of 1:19.751 on Tuesday, the 21-year-old was even faster on day three, clocking 1:19.295. Sebastien Bourdais and Sebastien Buemi, who along with Takuma Sato are slogging it out for the two vacant seats at Toro Rosso next year, were second and third fastest respectively.

Bourdais was nearly sixth hundreds of a second slower than his former Toro Rosso team-mate while Buemi's best time was a further 0.3 seconds slower.

"Another positive day to round off this test session," said Buemi. "I'm really happy with how testing went overall, the team did a good job and I think I did too, which could be important for my future!"

Gary Paffet, testing a KERS-equipped car for McLaren, was fourth while fellow Britain Jenson Button completed the top five. Bruno Senna, who is testing for Honda alongside Lucas di Grassi, finished in eighth place, ahead of the likes of Renault's Nelson Piquet jr and Ferrari's Luca Badoer.

Meanwhile, Pedro de la Rosa, who is getting a run out with Force India, finished in last place for the second consecutive day.

Times
01 S Vettel Red Bull 01:19.295 75 laps
02 S Bourdais Toro Rosso 1:19.839 122 laps
03 S Buemi Toro Rosso 1:20.154 115 laps
04 G Paffett McLaren 1:21.140 81 laps
05 J Button Honda 1:21.387 94 laps
06 C Klien BMW 1:21.534 88 laps
07 N Heidfeld BMW 1:21.592 106 laps
08 B Senna Honda 1:21.676 107 laps
09 N Piquet jr. Renault 1:22.148 94 laps
10 N Hulkenberg Williams 1:22.410 52 laps
11 L Badoer Ferrari 1:22.866 120 laps
12 G Fisichella Force India 1:23.086 03 laps
13 P De La Rosa Force India 1:23.103 88 laps

Your Comments

over

"Hey,we all know that their has always been a preseason world champion...What i see is a ferrari three and half seconds off the pace ? Remember the rule changes in 1998 (groved tires etc)The Mclarens designed by Newey lapped the hole field.

triumphken

"Scarily Vettel might be even better than we think he is, I would like to see a shoot out with him and Webber in the RB to get a proper comparison.This package could be the one to watch, great stuff!!!"

ilAlfisto

"Don't get too excited about RB/TR, chaps - remember Williams' rapid 2008 pre-season form! And put Webber in the RB on the same day as Vettel. Let's not wait until 2009 to see if Williams and Red Bull have been suckered by Webber-BS all these years. If so, stick him in the Toro Rosso to mentor Bourdais, and put Loeb in the Red Bull seat."

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