13-Nov-07: Schumacher Fastest on Day One at Barcelona

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I’m Christine from Sidepodcast and this is F1 Minute for the 13^th November.

The first day of testing in Barcelona took place today, and Michael Schumacher marked his return to the Ferrari team in style. Topping the timesheets over fellow Ferrari driver Luca Badoer and de la Rosa in the McLaren, Schumacher proved he’s still got what it takes despite not having driven for a year.

Most drivers were concentrating on 2008 rules and regulations, such as taking the traction control off, and some had better days than others. Jarno Trulli was not well, suffering from a fever, and his misery continued with an engine problem towards the end of the session.

The Force India team hit the track for the first time with their new name, but test drivers Giedo van der Garde and Roldan Rodriguez finished bottom of the timesheets. Indian driver Karun Chandok debuted in the Red Bull but only finished slightly above the Team India boys after completing 39 laps.

Both BMW drivers were practicing without traction control and Kubica thoroughly beat Heidfeld in 4^th position to his team mates 10^th.

That’s all for today but I’ll have more news from testing on tomorrow’s F1 Minute.