Sauber Valencia day one test

Team RED BULL SAUBER PETRONAS started an intensive three-day test of the new C20 today in Valencia. Weather conditions were sunny and warm all day. The test will focus on aerodynamic and tyre work with both Nick Heidfeld and Kimi Raikkonen. Nick Heidfeld completed 33 laps and a time of 1m 15.68s. Kimi Raikkonen completed 38 laps and a time of 1m.15.64s before a spun in the tyre wall brought his day to a halt on the last lap of the day.

Jacky Eeckelaert (Head of Test Team): "The test got fully underway this afternoon. Nick Heidfeld's car did not arrive from the factory in Hinwil until end of the morning. Raikkonen's car suffered a minor electronic problem with its gearbox. Unfortunately it was necessary to remove the gearbox and partly dismantle it before the problem could be rectified. Our main task today was to work with both drivers on different aerodynamic programs in readiness for the races of Australia, Malaysia and Brazil which kick off the season. Tomorrow, our programme will be more aerodynamic testing for Nick Heidfeld's car and a full race distance for Kimi Raikkonen."

Nick Heidfeld: "I had a good afternoon and we have tried several different elements in the rear wing for comparisons purpose. Everything went well. Let's see how it goes to-morrow."

Kimi Raikkonen: "I had a bit of a difficult day which began with a gearbox problem. This lost me quite a lot of running time. This afternoon the session went well. However on the last lap, I spun the car and went into the tyre wall. The damage was not significant and we can keep to our schedule doing a race distance and more good work tomorrow and wednesday."