Jerez: Vettel uses slicks to go fastest again

With air temperature a very hot 37 degrees Celsius and track temperatures of around 50, Scuderia Toro Rosso's Sebastian Vettel used 2009 slick tires to stay on top of the times on the second day of testing at the Jerez circuit on Wednesday.

With the benefit of slick tires the entire day, the German, who had also been quickest in yesterday's session, was the only driver who managed to lap the Spanish track in less than 1m19s. Five other drivers used slicks, but not for the full day.

"I spent the whole time on the 2009 spec slick tires and the biggest difference you notice is in the slow corners, where you feel more mechanical grip," said Vettel. "However, the low downforce configuration in line with next year's rules means you have a lack of aero which you feel on the high speed sections, but it is balanced out by more grip from the tires. We tried two types of tire and it was an interesting experiment, from which we got loads of data to study." Tomorrow, Sebastien Bourdais takes over for Toro Rosso the final two days.

McLaren's Pedro de la Rosa was second quickest, the Spaniard using the morning to work with a 2009 configuration, including slick tires and revised aero. In the afternoon he reverted to this year's tires.

Honda test driver Wurz suffered a suspected engine failure around noon, bringing out the red flag.

Results:

*Fast time set on grooved tires