Ferrari begin F10 testing

The 2010 Formula One season officially started today as the F1 teams headed to Valencia in Spain for the opening test session of the 2010 season. Before testing got underway there was some low key launches for some teams including Mercedes and Toro Rosso. Ferrari were ready to get on track early in the morning with Felipe Massa at the wheel to provide the team with immediate feedback on the new chassis compared to the Ferrari F60.

Testing will be crucial for all teams with their time being limited to 15 test days so most teams were keen to get onto the track and begin the hard work. Felipe Massa after doing 2 installation laps was soon putting in some strong times, setting the pace in the morning. However it has to be noted that it is testing and there is going to be very different fuel loads being used up and down the pitlane. Chris Dyer had said Ferrari would run with similar fuel loads to 2009 initially to give the team a benchmark to compare the initial feelings of the car with the F60. Massa was said to be positive about his initial feelings for the F10, but it is still to early for any detailed analysis.

Felipe completed a total of 102 laps setting the best time of the day in the process, Felipe spent most of the day working on a baseline setup for the F10 as well as analysing the new Bridgestone tyres. So a very promising start for Ferrari and one that should put an end to the rumours that the F10 was going to struggle for pace.

Final Times

1. F. Massa Ferrari F10 1:12.574
2. P. de la Rosa BMW Sauber C25 1:12.784 +0.210
3. M. Schumacher Mercedes GP W01 1:13.321 +0.747
4. N. Rosberg Mercedes GP W01 1:13.543 +0.969
5. G. Paffett McLaren MP4-25 1:13.846 +1.272
6. R. Barrichello Williams FW32 1:14.449 +1.875
7. R. Kubica Renault R30 1:15.298 +2.724
8. S. Buemi Toro Rosso STR5 1:16.333 +3.759