Webber completes first day of FW28 test

On a day that would see the teams test programme hampered by rain the WilliamsF1 team would commence their three day test at the Valencia circuit in Spain. This would be the teams first test with the new FW28, despite the fact that the team had their first runs with the new car the day before. The previous day was devoted to filming of the new car, not testing.

The test of the new car would be the job of Mark Webber while Nico Rosberg would continue testing using the interim FW27C. Despite the poor weather mark was able to complete seventy seven laps, finishing the day in fifth with a best lap time of 1m:22.388. For Nico his day did not go as smoothly with the German causing three red flag periods during the day. Nico would leave the track twice and of more concern was to suffer an engine failure late in the day.

With the new FW28 the team focused on doing basic checks in regards to various aspects of the car including checking the cooling aspects of the rear bodywork of the FW28. At the end of the day the new car had not experienced any problems. The wet weather also allowed the team to have their first run with the new car on wet weather Bridgestone tyres, and the team were impressed with the performance of the tyres.

WilliamsF1 Technical Director Sam Michael commented on the days testing

Michael said: “Considering the circuit was wet throughout the day, we completed a good programme on both the FW28 and FW27C. Even with its tight packaging around the exhaust and cooling systems, the FW28 has not experienced any issues with burning or cooling, which is great. Mark drove the FW28 and completed 340kms on wet tyres with some long runs to check heat rejection numbers for the new car. Nico drove the FW27C and completed 316kms undergoing wet tyre testing for Bridgestone. It was evident from the lap times during the day that Bridgestone have an advantage in wet conditions. We should get some dry weather running tomorrow which will allow us to continue our programme."

The WilliamsF1 team will also take the opportunity to test Japanese Formula Three champion Joao Paolo de Oliveira later in the week. He will use an interim FW27..