Vettel fastest for Red Bull in Jerez; Sato tests

Eurosport - Fri, 19 Sep 12:20:00 2008

Italian Grand Prix winner Sebastian Vettel was the fastest at Jerez on day three of testing with Red Bull Racing, his team for 2009.

FORMULA 1 Sebastian Vettel 2008 - 0

Nick Heidfeld (BMW) and Lucas di Grassi (Renault) were next fastest.

In the rain-interrupted session, Vettel's current team Toro Rosso tried out former Super Aguri driver Takuma Sato in the German's absence.

Sato was one of three Japanese in action at the Jerez circuit in southern Spain with Kamui Kobayashi testing for Toyota and regular race driver Kazuki Nakajima in a Williams.

"The team was pleased with the work he did, clearly demonstrating his previous experience in a grand prix car," Toro Rosso said in a statement after Sato lapped sixth fastest of the eight drivers.

The Ferrari-powered team won last weekend in Italy with Vettel becoming F1's youngest winner at the age of 21.

Italy-based Toro Rosso are looking for a replacement for the German, who is joining Red Bull at the end of the season when David Coulthard retires.

"At the start of the day we were collecting aero data," said Sato, who was hoping to press his claims for a race drive in 2009. "Then by the end of the morning we began timed runs, so I could really feel the car and I started to enjoy the laps.

"Unfortunately, in the afternoon it started to rain so we had to stop. That was a great shame as I was looking forward to proper running in the afternoon."

Unofficial Thursday times from Jerez:

1. Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull, 1:18.001

2. Nick Heidfeld, BMW Sauber, 1:18.167

3. Lucas di Grassi, Renault, 1:18.999

4. Pedro de la Rosa, McLaren, 1:19.281

5. Alexander Wurz, Honda, 1:19.499

6. Takuma Sato, Toro Rosso, 1:19.574

7. Kamui Kobayashi, Toyota, 1:19.863

8. Kazuki Nakajima, Williams, 1:21.892

Eurosport

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  1. That's exactly why I mentioned Ross Brawn. The only way that he would go back to Ferrari is if Michael was running the show. There's a reason that Schumi's hanging around. I really see him taking over in a few years, and his first call will be to Ross.

    From Forza Ferrari, on Thu 18 Sep 7:22PM

  2. Good point ginger. Vettel and Kubica looked so comfortable with each other on the podium that I could not resist the thought! You have to admit that this would be a "killer" combination.

    From Forza Ferrari, on Thu 18 Sep 7:20PM

  3. Oh, and while Ross Brawn may be part of a dream for Ferrari fans, I don't think the feelings are mutual. Ross strikes me as the kind of guy who would get a greater sense of pride and achievement from building a team of little to no hopers in to title contenders. As he did when he brought a certain German to the Scarlet Masses oh so long ago.

    From ginger_gitt, on Thu 18 Sep 7:18PM

  4. Personally I hope Vettel and Kubica don't end up in the same team. Not because I'm anti-Ferrari, but because I'm pro-F1. I'd prefer to see the future's big threee (Seb, Robert and Lewis) competing for the title in three different teams. Most memorable recent championship for me was between Schumi in a Ferrari, Alonso in a Renault and Raikkonen in a Mclaren all fighting till the very last rounds of the year (2004 if memory serves)

    From ginger_gitt, on Thu 18 Sep 7:15PM

  5. Hi tifosi. I agree with you. How's this for a perfect scenario for Ferrari?

    Team Manager: Michael Schumacher
    Chief Engineer: Ross Brawn
    Drivers: Sebastian Vettel and Robert Kubica

    Far-fetched? Not necessarily. Schumi could definitely make it happen.

    From Forza Ferrari, on Thu 18 Sep 7:00PM

  6. And Vettel again, just what can I say, the kid has got some amazing talent, he is fact becoming one of my favourite drivers!

    From tifosi4eva, on Thu 18 Sep 6:45PM

  7. Sato tested, how many crashes were there?

    From tifosi4eva, on Thu 18 Sep 6:44PM

  8. Vettel's time is interesting, given it was in a Red Bull and not a STR. The Renault engine is signifegantly slower than Nicks BMW, yet Vettel put up quicker times. Granted, testing is just that and dosen't mean much, but.......

    From sdcharger717, on Thu 18 Sep 6:42PM

  9. All testing times are irrelevant. Testing is just that and not racing.

    From Biggles, on Thu 18 Sep 6:20PM

  10. Sparrow: not sure if that was genuine, if so thanks, or sarcasm.

    I might have missed the earlier article that they are testing more of 2009's technology, although surely they would still be running a 2008 chassis at this point even if they were testing for next year as none of the teams have finished the new cars yet. I might be wrong, but most of next years tech being tested now is info gathering on the new slicks and trialing the new KERS technology. Either way, Vettel in a Red Bull beating a BMW looks good for the racing next year.

    From ginger_gitt, on Thu 18 Sep 6:05PM

  11. As always Ginger you cut to the chase and extract the pertinent content from the article. Always read your posts with interest.

    From an earlier artilce I think teams are testing components from the 2009 spec cars - Hope Honda's efforts in this test session do not reflect the performance we might expect from them in 2009!

    From Mr Burns, on Thu 18 Sep 5:53PM

  12. look at taku he's till fast even with a slow car!

    From merla d, on Thu 18 Sep 5:40PM

  13. Vettel is starting to cement the raw pace he has, given the performances of Coulthard and Webber this season that is a phenominal achievement surely to beat Nick Heidfeld's BMW into second?

    What stands out most to me in this article is that Toro Rosso managed to give a test to Sato who was slower than Wurz's Honda, does that say anything about his ability to anyone else?

    From ginger_gitt, on Thu 18 Sep 5:38PM

  14. what pants?

    From Paul, on Thu 18 Sep 5:29PM

  15. He's the next Christian Klien....

    From bowesey17, on Thu 18 Sep 5:18PM
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