Jerez Test: 11 Feb - Nakajima tests Williams FW31

The second day of the AT&T Williams four day test at the Jerez circuit would see Kazuki Nakajima finally have his first opportunity to test the 2009 FW31. His last time in the car was cut short by rain when the team was testing at the Algarve circuit.

Kazuki would have a moment at Turn 13 when he was to lock his left front wheel seeing him take to the asphalt next to the track. Kazuki would complete 125 laps of the 4.423km circuit, focusing on optimisation work on the team's 2009 race car. He would set the fourth quickest time of the day with a 1:21.451 and will return to the cockpit tomorrow. Kazuki would complete a full race simulation without any problems.

With the switch from grooved to slick tires Bridgestone was no longer able to shown the distinction between soft and hard rubber with the white stripe in one of the grooves rather they were testing a green edge on the side of the tyre. An engineer from Bridgestone told F1Today.nl: "This week, the colour of the band has no meaning, they are both hard and soft tires. We want to see where the edge is the most visible and remain."

Williams F1 Technical Director Sam Michael commented: “Kazuki was testing for the team in Jerez today and covered over 550kms while undertaking mechanical set-up tests. He also completed a full race simulation without issue. We are looking forward to another productive day tomorrow when we will carry out more tuning work on the FW31 in preparation for the first Grand Prix.”