Chatter from Jerez test

It's raining in Jerez and is forecast to rain again tomorrow, so not much is getting done once again. These pre-season tests have been blighted - by rain in Europe and by sandstorms in Bahrain. Everyone is rushing to get things done in time for the new season, but it seems someone up high is sending a message about the wisdom of making such a radical cut in testing!

Anyway I'm hearing some interesting stuff from out there. Apparently it is starting to look as though only four teams will start the season using new the KERS system; Ferrari, McLaren, Renault and Red Bull. I thought that Force India might use it too given that they have the McLaren Mercedes system, but I have it on good authority that is looking unlikely. The Spanish GP is apparently targetted as the date for them to race it for the first time.

Ferrari changed a KERS system again yesterday, while McLaren had to change an engine. Renault had some problems, which limited Piquet to just 52 laps and Force India had an electrical issue on Fisi's car so he did just 31 laps.

Sebastien Vettel in the Red Bull was very fast again, his 1m19.055 is easily the fastest time a 2009 spec car has done around there. Both BMW and McLaren did some work for Bridgestone on the tyres for 2010, which will have to be different because both tyre warmers and in-race refuelling will be banned in 2010. Robert Kubica and Pedro de la Rosa did the work. I guess it had to be done now because there are no tests during the season, but it does seem a bit much to have to work on 2010 when you have so little time anyway to get ready for 2009 and what little time you do have has been blighted by rain and sandstorms.