17/11/2008
NEWS STORY
Just over two weeks after the 2008 season reached its thrilling climax in Brazil, preparations for the 2009 season are already underway.
With a raft of new rules in 2009, including the return of slick tyres, major modifications to the aerodynamics and the introduction of KERS, the teams have a lot of work to get through this week in Barcelona and in the two remaining tests this year.
Few of the regular Grand Prix drivers are in action today, however, other than the new look to the 2008 cars - courtesy of 2009-spec aero packages - attention is focussed on former Super Aguri driver Takuma Sato who is driving a Toro Rosso and World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb who is driving the Red Bull.
In almost perfect conditions, the Toro Rosso is setting the early pace, with Sebastian Buemi heading Sato, Wurz (Honda) de la Rosa (McLaren) and Paffett (McLaren).