Day 1 at Sakhir for STR

Apart from the obvious benefits of testing at the track that hosts this year's curtain raiser grand prix, in terms of establishing optimum car set-up and tyre choice, the trip to Sakhir has provided the team with its first taste of summer-style weather.

Circuit : Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir - 5.417 km
Car : RB 1
Driver: Scott Speed
Laps: 82
Best time: 1:34.280

With an air temperature of 23 and the track passing the 30 degree mark, Scott Speed spent the morning working on general set-up, looking at elements such as ride height and aero balance. Chief Engineer, Laurent Mekies "The car ran well and it has been very useful to evaluate downforce levels and work out what level to use in the race."
In the afternoon Scott embarked on a simulated race distance, including "live" pit stop with full fuel rig use.

"Considering that we have several new guys on the team, who have not worked together before, the pit stop went well," continued Mekies. "Unfortunately, Scott was unable to complete the race distance as the session was red flagged when another car stopped on track. We are using the RB1 here because there was no time to get the STR 1 here after its inaugural test in Jerez last week. STR 1 will be testing again in Imola next week."

Tomorrow, it's Tonio Liuzzi's turn to tackle the desert track.