Bahrain Test: Massa fastest after trouble-free afternoon

Weather: air temperature 22/24 °C, track temperature 28/35 °C. Clear skies.

Brazilian Felipe Massa posted the fastest time on the final day of testing at the Sakhir circuit in Bahrain.

After two troubled days, Massa enjoyed a problem-free session and managed to complete the planned programme, which focused on finding the best set-up for the F2008 and on general development of the car.

World champion Kimi Raikkonen was less than two tenths slower after 85 laps.

The Ferraris were split by German Timo Glock, who showed promising pace in the Toyota TF108, finishing less than a tenth behind Massa.

Today’s times:

Pos  Driver     Team                  Time        Laps
 1.  Massa      Ferrari          (B)  1:31.189      91
 2.  Glock      Toyota           (B)  1:31.209      71
 3.  Raikkonen  Ferrari          (B)  1:31.329      85
 4.  Trulli     Toyota           (B)  1:31.689      86

An intensive test session came to a close this afternoon for Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro, at the Sakhir circuit in Bahrain.
Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa covered over nine hundred kilometres on this final day, getting through all their planned programme, which centred on finding the best set-up for the F2008 and on general development of the car, without any technical problems. Kimi in particular managed 2294km on the same engine, which is more than double the required distance for a race engine this year.

The next appearance on track for Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro is scheduled for 20th February at the Catalunya Circuit, near Barcelona, for the first day of a three day session.

Here’s a great video of proper Bahrain test action, including grid starts: