F1 Barcelona News

With the second round of winter testing underway in Barcelona, our Formula1 expert and reporter Tom Wilkinson brings you the latest news.

The second round of testing begins at the Circuit de Catalunya. This circuit is a favourite for testing because of its technical and challenging layout. Fast straights with a mix of tight twisty sections, it is a very technical and demanding circuit, this challenges both the car and tyres. The theory is that if a car is fast around here, then its fast almost everywhere. This track also hosts the Spanish GP during the season meaning that data from races in the past can help when setting a car up here. Both rounds of testing will prove very interesting, who can leave Barcelona and head to Melbourne with the best car?

Fernando Alonso returns:
Ferrari favourite Fernando Alonso returns to the cockpit after not appearing in Jerez. Alonso played a tactical card by missing Jerez and leaving the bug finding to Felipe Massa and Pedro De La Rosa, this means he will get more meaningful time in the car. He also said that Barcelona is better to drive around because the tarmac and the run off areas are similar to other F1 circuits on the calendar. Jerez has more gravel traps and the tarmac is much more abrasive than the typical F1 circuit. Alonso's presence is sure to attract the Spanish fans to the circuit, he will have plenty of attention. It will be interesting to see what he can get from the 2013 Ferrari, especially in comparison to teammate Felipe Massa. The Ferrari looks good this year, but the question is how good will it be with Alonso at the wheel? Fernando says there is no reason why he cannot compete for this year's title.

Williams FW35 unveiled:
Williams were the final team to reveal their 2013 car, the FW35 broke cover in the Barcelona pit lane on Tuesday with drivers Maldonado and Bottas. But just hours after the launch it was announced that the FIA were not happy with the exhaust outlets on the Williams. The body work around the exhaust is illegal and it must be changed before the first race in Melbourne. Caterham are also guilty of the same offence. Williams decided to test 2013 development parts on the 2012 car in Jerez, and take more time on developing the actual car for this season. It's a clever idea, but weather it will actually pay off is yet to be seen. Williams have young Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas who is very popular among the fans. Bottas replaces Bruno Senna who leaves Formula 1 for GT cars.

Sutil in possible return:
Adrian Sutil looks to be in for a possible shock return at Force India. The German who has raced for the team between 2007 and 2011 has a full day in the car on Thursday in Barcelona. His return is not yet certain as Jules Bianchi the teams young reserve driver is in the seat on Friday. It's a shootout between these two drivers as to who gets the final racing seat at the team.

News from the first day of Barcelona testing:
After the first day of testing, Nico Rosberg was fastest over all with an impressive time of 1:22.616. He set his fastest time on the Pirelli Medium compound tyre in the final hour of testing after completing 54 laps. Here is the list of times from the first day.

Unofficial Tuesday test times from Barcelona:
1. Nico Rosberg, Mercedes, 1:22.616, 54 laps
2. Kimi Raikkonen, Lotus, 1:22.623, 44 laps
3. Fernando Alonso, Ferrari, 1:22.952, 110 laps
4. Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull, 1:22.965, 66 laps
5. Pastor Maldonado, Williams, 1:23.733, 86 laps
6. Daniel Ricciardo, Toro Rosso, 1:23.884, 73 laps
7. Sergio Perez, McLaren, 1:24.124, 77 laps
8. Paul di Resta, Force India, 1:24.144, 82 laps
9. Esteban Gutierrez, Sauber, 1:25.124, 68 laps
10. Max Chilton, Marussia, 1:26.747, 65 laps
11. Charles Pic, Caterham, 1:27.534, 49 laps
Keep up to date with all the latest Formula 1 news by following me on Twitter TomWilkinsonF1 #TWF1. Stay up to date with all my reports right here at Driving For Pleasure and also on Twitter drivin4pleasure.