By SA07
April 1 2007

Robert Kubica kicked off the Sepang testing in Malaysia on Tuesday by setting the fastest time proving that the F1.07 can challenge the front runners. How did we hold up?? well you will just have to view the whole story. The polish ace completed 92 laps in very warm conditions, his best time was a 1m36.187s like most teams the BMW Sauber F1 team concentrated on aerodynamics and making sure the car an withstand the extreme heated conditions.

Ferraris Ice man Kimi Raikkonen completed his test 2nd to Robert rounding up 54 laps on the clock working on car set up. Alex Wurz came next to him boosting Williams revival fight for the championship with the FW29, working on one lap pace with a few short laps in the morning. He also tried out Bridgestones new ideas to make the type of tire more noticeable.

Next up came Honda Racing F1s Rubens Barrichello bringing hopes back up as he sets the 4th fastest time, the Brackley based squad worked on there fresh aero package and suspension. Team Vodafone Mclaren Mercedes finished behind the sole Honda in 5th with Pedro De La Rosa behind the wheel of the MP4-22 with new aero parts working frantically to attepmt to close the gap to there rivals Ferrari.

Old Super Aguri racer Frank Montagny was next up in the Toyota, in 6th just ahead of our hero Takuma Sato who pipped Red Bull in 8th who still are learning the limits of there new car. Takuma focused on a number of aero and set up tests in the SA07-02 completing 71 laps on Wednesday Takuma will work on soft v hard tire tests on the Brigestone and the testing programme throughout the week will contain aerodynamic, engine and tyre evaluations.

Nelson Piquet Jr finished behind us and red bull completing just 32 laps after a mechanical problem which made the team 2 seconds off the pace. Finishing plum last and rounding off day 1 was Scott Speed in the Toro Rosso who just like Red Bull are yet to undertstand there car.

Offical times from ITV-F1.com
Testing times from Sepang (March 27)

1. KUBICA BMW 1m36.187s
2. RAIKKONEN Ferrari 1m36.302s
3. WURZ Williams 1m36.334s
4. BARRICHELLO Honda 1m36.826s
5. DE LA ROSA McLaren 1m37.106s
6. MONTAGNY Toyota 1m37.267s
7. SATO Super Aguri 1m37.389s
8. COULTHARD Red Bull 1m37.609s
9. PIQUET JR Renault 1m38.199s
10. SPEED Toro Rosso 1m38.503s