APRIL 5, 2005

F1 testing at Barcelona

A big Formula 1 test got under way at Barcelona today with Ferrari and Renault in action at the track. World Championship leader Fernando Alonso was in action and, according to witnesses suffered a rear wing failure at one point. His car spun wildly but did not make contact with anything and Fernando was able to drive it back to the pits. Giancarlo Fisichella also had an off and ended up in a gravel trap. Renault had decided to start the session a day earlier than expected because of fears of rain in the region later in the week. The threat of rain is now a much more serious issue than in previous years because of the testing agreement between all the teams bar Ferrari.

Williams, McLaren, Toyota, BAR, Sauber and Red Bull Racing are all expected to test on Wednesday.