NOVEMBER 24, 2004

Hi-ho, hi-ho, it's back to work we go

After a few quiet weeks with nothing much happening in Formula 1 the teams are back in action this week, testing in preparation for the new season with tests so far this week with Ferrari at Vairano and Barcelona. The first test was carried out by test driver Andrea Bertolini while in Barcelona the work was done by Luca Badoer and new recruit Marc Gene. At Misano Minardi has been working through a list of different drivers although not all of those who were announced will be seen testing as a few have not paid. Thus far we have seen Will Power, Will Davison, Chanok Nissany, Patrick Friesacher and Tiago Monteiro in action.

In Barcelona Ferrari was joined yesterday by Williams (Mark Webber) and Toyota (Jarno Trulli) and other teams are due to join the test today. Juan Pablo Montoya will have his first run in a McLaren, and Jacques Villeneuve will do the same for Sauber, while Giancarlo Fisichella is due to appear in a Renault. In addition the test should mark the first appearance of the new Red Bull Racing with Christian Klien, Bjorn Wirdheim and Formula 3000 champion Vitantonio Liuzzi. There is some doubt at the moment about whether or not Anthony Davidson will be allowed by Honda to test for Williams. The test had been agreed but the takeover of the team by Honda appears to have blocked the deal.