2009 F1 testing notes: January 23rd (Update: Pictures added)

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Nick Heidfeld drove the BMW F1.09 for the first time in Valencia

It’s all about BMW today: Ferrari finished their Mugello test yesterday and the other teams have de-camped from a rather soggy Portimao.

That leaves Nick Heidfeld in the F1.09 at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia the only testing action today.

Updates might be a little thin with it being a one-car private test, but do share anything you find below, along with any other new information about the rest of this week’s testing that may come out.

After today there will be a three-week break until we see most of the F1 teams in action again. A major test kicks off at Jerez in the second week of February. More details on the F1 Fanatic calendar.

Pictures from today’s test

2009 F1 testing

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Keith Collantine
Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 - when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring...

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3 comments on “2009 F1 testing notes: January 23rd (Update: Pictures added)”

  1. Becken
    23rd January 2009, 17:46

    TEST KILOMETRES SO FAR:

    FERRARI: over 1500 km
    BMW: 1.523 km
    McLaren: 690 km (most of it in the wet)

    In times of banned track tests, BMW starts in an interesting advantage.

    Keith – Do you have the BMW lap times?

  2. Profile Photo

    Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
    23rd January 2009, 18:29

    I haven’t seen a time – here’s BMW’s release:

    Nick Heidfeld
    Chassis / engine: BMW Sauber F1.09-02 / BMW 86/9
    Test kilometres today: 367 (92 laps)

    Programme:
    With gusty winds reaching 50 km/h, the scheduled test programme had to be changed and the main focus of the morning’s work switched from set-up to reliability. Nick Heidfeld completed several long runs to put more mileage on the new F1.09. After the weather improved slightly in the afternoon, Heidfeld was at last able to work on the mechanical set-up.

    “Finally I could drive the F1.09 for the very first time,” Heidfeld said after completing 92 laps. “We still have a lot of work to do, but we are making progress with each kilometre and the reliability is already there. Overall the F1.09 handles quite differently to last year’s car. Fortunately I managed to work on the set-up in the afternoon. The most important result after my first day of testing is that the car reacts as intended to set-up changes.”

    What comes next:
    Tomorrow will conclude the BMW Sauber F1 Team’s four-day test session in Valencia.

    For further information please visit the media website http://www.press.bmw-motorsport.com (press releases, press kits, images, TV footage) and the official team website http://www.bmw-sauber-f1.com (car, season, Race Club, team updates).

    Didn’t realise they were testing tomorrow as well. They’re going to have some excellent mileage on their car.

  3. Striay
    24th January 2009, 11:41

    Kubica is going to win the 2009 championship and BMW the constructors I started saying it in Canada last season!

    Keith just before the season starts you should make a poll on who is going to win the drivers and the constructors championship. My head goes with Kubica or Massa though my heart with Raikkonen and Alonso!

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