17 Sep 2008
Jerez day one - Asmer tops ‘young driver day’ in Spain
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BMW Sauber test driver Marko Asmer was the quickest man at Jerez on Tuesday, as this week’s four-day test session got underway at the Spanish circuit. Three teams were on track, all trying out up-and-coming young drivers, and Asmer clocked a best time of 1m 20.189s.
Asmer covered 79 laps in the F1.08 as he worked on basic set-up to improve his skills as a tester and on gaining data on parts of the circuit that have recently been resurfaced. The Estonian will hand over to BMW Sauber's third driver, Austrian Christian Klien, on Wednesday, with Robert Kubica then scheduled to drive on Thursday and Friday.
Around three seconds behind Asmer was Formula Three driver Dani Clos, who made his Formula One debut with Williams. Spaniard Clos covered 75 laps, with the team concentrating on new developments for next season.
“After successful preliminary tests of the KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) flywheel today, the team will be undertaking more component testing tomorrow, part of which will include 2009 aero parts and rear wing,” explained Sam Michael, Williams technical director.
Completing the Tuesday line-up was Honda’s Mike Conway at the wheel of the team's KERS development car. The British GP2 star completed four runs over 20 laps in the morning session before a sensor wiring problem brought his day's running to an earlier than planned conclusion. Honda’s test and reserve driver Alex Wurz will continue the team’s programme in the their current RA108 car on Wednesday.
Normal testing continues in Spain on Wednesday in preparation for the forthcoming Singapore Grand Prix, with all teams bar Ferrari and Force India expected at Jerez.
Unofficial Tuesday times from Jerez:
1. Marko Asmer, BMW Sauber, 1:20.189
2. Dani Clos, Williams, 1:23.224
3. Mike Conway, Honda, 1:24.123
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