Bahrain best value for time and money spent

UPDATE The three Formula 1 teams testing in Bahrain ran out of luck on Wednesday as the track was hit by a sandstorm. The sandstorm made it impossible for the emergency helicopter to fly and thus the session got red flagged.

Ferrari, BMW and Toyota travelled to Bahrain to avoid wet weather conditions in Europe but an unpredicted sandstorm spoiled the second day of testing in Bahrain for the three F1 teams. It is expected that the teams won't be able to test again on Wednesday and so testing will continue for these three teams on Thursday.

(GMM) Despite forking out an estimated 250,000 euros apiece to set up for two weeks of testing in the Middle East, three formula one teams came unstuck on Wednesday.

The pitlane lights shone red and the Bahrain International Circuit was silent, after a huge sandstorm struck the desert area of the Sakhir venue.

Visibility around the circuit and in the paddock was close to zero, and the medical helicopter did not have clearance to fly, meaning that the test could not proceed.

The severity of the storm, and the nature of the winds, made it unlikely at the time of writing that the test will resume at any point in the afternoon.

Ferrari, BMW-Sauber and Toyota, having opted for Bahrain amid the threat of rain at the European test venue Jerez this week, were also hindered on Tuesday morning when fog prevented the helicopter to fly for two hours.

Felipe Massa, Robert Kubica and Timo Glock had been scheduled to drive on Wednesday, in otherwise warm and dry conditions.

Ironically, back in Spain, conditions for the five teams present at Jerez on Wednesday are sunny, clear and dry, as Mark Webber as scheduled made his return with a healing broken leg.

02/03/09 With more precipitation and unfavorable weather expected in the Iberian Peninsula, Toyota believes that heading to Bahrain for testing offers the best value for the time and money spent, since at the Sakhir circuit teams will be able to test the entire package under dry conditions, unlike the probable wet scenario the other group will face at Jerez.

"For us testing in Bahrain is just the best value for money," technical chief Pascal Vasselon said to 'autosport'.

"For us it is just common sense to test in Bahrain," he continued, "We would be ready to drop one of the two European test sessions to spend more time in Bahrain. It is the best value for money and the best preparation for the rest of the season."

Toyota will be joined by Ferrari and BMW Sauber in Bahrain, starting on February 10.