Barrichello tops today’s test times from Jerez

Rubens Barrichello in the Brawn

The last week of F1 testing for the year began today in Jerez, Spain. Once again the Brawn GP team showed the way with Rubens Barrichello 0.583s clear of the Renault of Fernando Alonso.

Barrichello was at the wheel of the BGP 001 and completed 107 laps, posting the fastest time as he completed a series of set-up and tire evaluations, in addition to a number of race start simulations.

Rubens will continue his running tomorrow morning before teammate Jenson Button takes over in the afternoon session for the remaining day and a half of the test.

Barrichello debriefs with Ross Brawn

"We had a good day of testing today completing over a hundred laps of the Jerez circuit," said Barrichello. "It is hotter in Jerez than it was in Barcelona last week and therefore more representative of the temperatures that we can expect for the first few races, so it is good preparation for myself and the car. The car ran very well once again and we are increasing our understanding of its characteristics every day."

Sunday Times