By Huw Alban
February 24 2006

Christijan Albers had the M16 all to himself today at what was his last day at Barcelona this week. Our information is that the team are now on their way home, and will no doubt be preparing for the two day test at Silverstone next week. At the time of writing, Midland F1 have not produced a press release but a quote has appeared on Christijan Albers’ personal website. Yesterday Christijan indicated that the team wanted to conduct a race distance run in the new car, but the Dutchman has revealed that this wasn’t achieved. Judging by his words and the various pictures that have appeared around the internet from today’s test, the team spent some time on pit stop practice. It would appear that this did not go quite to plan, and compromised the team’s time today.

“I'm glad the weather was better than we though it would be, so at least we could start with some running early in the morning already,” Christijan has been quoted as saying on AlbersF1.com.

“Unfortunately we had some problems with the fuel rig, which lost us some time. We planned to cover a race distance in the afternoon but instead of that it became a long stint as we didn't have enough time left."

The team did reveal yesterday that Christijan has made a big contribution towards the Bridgestone tyre tests this week, and he appears pleased with the gains made. “I'm happy with the work we could do together with Bridgestone. All in all it was a useful week here in Barcelona and I can look back at it with a positive feeling.”

Both Tiago Monterio and Christijan Albers are due at Silverstone next Monday and Tuesday, and our information suggests that the team will be shaking down all the M16 chassis in preparation for packing up to got to Bahrain. MF1O plan to be there on the Tuesday, and hopefully the weather will hold out for us and the team.

Full list of times from Barcelona today:

1. J. Button - Honda RA106 - 1'13"935 (+0"000) - 116 laps
2. G. Fisichella - Renault R26 - 1'13"971 (+0"036) - 125 laps
3. F. Alonso - Renault R26 - 1'13"977 (+0"042) - 113 laps
4. R. Barrichello - Honda RA106 -1'14"266 (+0"331) - 119 laps
5. J.P. Montoya - McLaren Mercedes MP4-21 - 1'14"588 (+0"653) - 131 laps
6. K. Raikkonen - McLaren Mercedes MP4-21 - 1'15"475 (+1"540) - 79 laps
7. N. Rosberg - Williams Cosworth FW28 - 1'15"774 (+1"839) - 83 laps
8. R. Schumacher - Toyota TF106 - 1'15"973 (+2"038) - 97 laps
9. D. Coulthard - Red Bull Ferrari RB2 - 1'16"034 (+2"099) - 54 laps
10. J. Trulli - Toyota TF106 - 1'16"057 (+2"122) - 103 laps
11. M. Webber - Williams Cosworth FW28 - 1'16"128 (+2"193) - 97 laps
12. C. Klien - Red Bull Ferrari RB2 - 1'16"923 (+2"988) - 55 laps
13. C. Albers – MF1 Toyota M16 - 1'17"142 (+3"207) - 79 laps
14. T. Sato - Super Aguri