Raikko & Massa Set For Bahrain Test

Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa will be sharing testing duties in Bahrain next week. This was confirmed to the GDN last night by Ferrari public relations manager Luca Colajanni.

The Formula One world champions will be testing at the Bahrain
International Circuit (BIC) alongside BMW and Toyota. They will be on
the track in two four-day sessions – first between February 10 and 13,
and then between the 16th and 19th.

"Raikkonen and Massa will be committed to drive four days each. Only
one car per day, as per testing agreement," Colajanni told the GDN.

The team will be working on general development and reliability of
their F60 car, as the world championship opener in Melbourne draws
closer.

"We are on schedule with regards to our [development] programme," added Colajanni.

Ferrari were the first F1 team to unveil their 2009 car this
pre-season. The F60 features a lower, wider front wing and a taller,
narrower rear wing, in line with revisions to F1 regulations. Its name
commemorates what will be the team’s 60th campaign in F1.

Raikkonen and Massa will be joined by fellow Grand Prix drivers
Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld of BMW, and Jarno Trulli and Timo Glock
of Toyota, in testing. BMW reserve driver Christian Klien is also set
to get track time.

The three F1 teams are reportedly spending more than £300,000
(BD164,000) each in coming to Bahrain compared to what they would have
been required to spend testing in Europe, according to an official.

"We’ve never gone to Bahrain testing because the delta between
staying in Europe and going out there is well over £300,000, so it’s
not really conducive to saving costs," Williams technical director Sam
Michael told the autosport.com website.

"Most of the time, the weather is not bad through February and
March. January is normally the worst month, so we just get on with it
as we are. It doesn’t affect normal development rate, it just affects
your normal set-up progression."

Ferrari, however, like BMW and Toyota, expect Bahrain’s warmer
temperatures and drier conditions will benefit them in their
preparations. Their most recent tests in Mugello, Italy, held last
month were occasionally disrupted by rain.

"Weather was the crucial factor which addressed our decision [to come to Bahrain]," Colajanni said.

This article doesn’t say which of the four-day tests Kimi is assigned to. My guess is that Kimi takes on the tests between 10th and 13th February because it was Massa who last tested for the team, at Mugello. But we’ll find out soon enough! Keep Flying ~
Update [9th Feb] So Kimi will be testing on the 12-13th Feb and 16-17th Feb. Just found out from AFCA who has confirmed that:
In Bahrain, among other things,
Ferrari will re-introduce the anvil wing, the exhaust pipe solution is
to look somewhat like that of McLaren and the frontwing has been
strengthened with there now also being ballast in it in order to have
as much weight at the front as possible. Especially the last adjustment
is something to be closely looked at with the current front wings
obviously being very close to the ground and Ferrari already having had
some problems in this area.

The drivers’ testing days:
10-11: Massa

12-13: Raikkonen

16-17: Raikkonen
18-19: Massa