The driver line-up has been confirmed for the second F1 test of 2013.
The four-day test at the Circuit de Catalunya will see Fernando Alonso make his first appearance in the Ferrari F138. He will drive during the first three days.
The Williams FW35 makes its first appearance with Pastor Maldonado at the wheel on Tuesday.
Force India will run 2013 seat contenders Adrian Sutil and Jules Bianchi for one day each.
Dry conditions are expected for most of the test but there is a chance of rain on the final day.
| Team | Car | 19th | 20th | 21st | 22nd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Bull | RB9 | Sebastian Vettel | Sebastian Vettel | Mark Webber | Mark Webber |
| Ferrari | F138 | Fernando Alonso | Fernando Alonso | Fernando Alonso | Felipe Massa |
| McLaren | MP4-28 | Sergio Perez | Sergio Perez | Jenson Button | Jenson Button |
| Lotus | E21 | Kimi Raikkonen | Kimi Raikkonen | Romain Grosjean | Romain Grosjean |
| Mercedes | W04 | Nico Rosberg | Lewis Hamilton | Nico Rosberg | Lewis Hamilton |
| Sauber | C32 | Esteban Gutierrez | Nico Hulkenberg | Nico Hulkenberg | Esteban Gutierrez |
| Force India | VJM06 | Paul di Resta | Paul di Resta | Adrian Sutil | Jules Bianchi |
| Williams | FW35 | Pastor Maldonado | Valtteri Bottas | Pastor Maldonado / Valtteri Bottas | Valtteri Bottas / Pastor Maldonado |
| Toro Rosso | STR8 | Daniel Ricciardo | Daniel Ricciardo | Jean-Eric Vergne | Jean-Eric Vergne |
| Caterham | CT03 | Charles Pic | Charles Pic | Giedo van der Garde | Giedo van der Garde |
| Marussia | MR02 | Max Chilton | TBC | TBC | TBC |
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wsrgo
19th February 2013, 9:59
Williams’s splitting on Thursday and Friday is surprising. What exactly are they hoping to achieve?
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
19th February 2013, 10:08
It could depend on how their actual testing programme is laid out. For instance, they might want to dedicate Thursday to longer fuel runs, and Friday to flying laps and setup work, and want both Maldonado and Bottas to get as much time as possible with each.
It’s really not that much of a problem – both drivers will get the same amount of time with the car; the difference is just in how they get that time. All they will have to do to switch between their drivers is to swap out the race seats and make a few adjustments in the cockpit, and they’re good to go. It probably won’t even take them as long as it does for the team to have lunch.
javlinsharp (@javlinsharp)
19th February 2013, 17:00
So, today is Feb 19th, its 5:34 in in Catalunya. Fernando has probably completed his laps, and is sipping a cool beverage, reflecting on the day.
Hopefully, he has a wry smile, already contemplating this points of advantage, and how the new car is completely perfect. Of course, he will have had no issues on the hard or soft compounds. With any luck, Keith’s customary report of times from this session will have Fernando on the top, and he will remain there for the entire year.
By this time, the RBR is a smoldering hulk. The fire which burned so intensely has been attributed to massive design miscalculation, and Adrian is scrambling for answers, but ultimately, none will arise. Due to the quick reflexes of stewards, and driver, no one was injured.
In the middle of the night, the MCM Pit complex was hit by fragments of the recent Russian Meteor. In a fluke, the plans for it were stored inside, and though no one was injured, all data and materials involved in the 2013 effort were completely destroyed. There will be no way to rebuild it in time to make the grid for the first 10 races..
The Lotus-mobile will have posted some good times, and will be expected to challenge the Ferrari, but only by the virtues of Kimi R. Only he will wage pitched battle with Fernando. Due to one unfortunate Lotus retirement, and 235 masterful passes by Alonso the Scuderia will take both WDC and WCC.
Soon, I will wake up, and this dream will melt away. Abrasive reality will mar my beutiful concept of perfection, but for this short moment, I dream; basking in the Red Glow of the Albert Park start lights until they exstinguish and I am rudely awakened by the screaming chaos of the first F1 2013 start.
wsrgo
20th February 2013, 9:21
@javlinsharp Like, wow…
Honestly that’s pretty much my dream too..although I would reverse the fortunes of Kimi and Alonso there.