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Webber goes quickest on Day Three (with pictures)

NEWS STORY
24/07/2008

Red Bull's Mark Webber on the third and penultimate day of testing at the Jerez de la Frontera circuit.

Once again, conditions were ideal, with air temperatures reaching 35 degrees C and track temperatures hitting 48 degrees.

For Webber, the majority of today's test was focused on aero development work and suspension changes in preparation for the next two races. The Austrian outfit also carried out some 2009 tyre tests, to complete a programme that carried over from yesterday. David Coulthard will take over tomorrow for the final day.

"We've had a pretty good two days here," said Webber. "The car ran pretty reliably and we've clocked up some good mileage. Today we were mostly getting ready for Budapest, as well as looking at developments for a little later in the season. Yesterday we were focusing more on '09, and it was quite a challenging day. Today was better in terms of what we learned, mechanically and aerodynamically. It's been a hot week for the guys working here and they've done a good job."

Nelson Piquet was on duty for Renault again, the Brazilian covering 95 on his way to completing his programme with the team this week. The French team began the day by working on grooved tyres to get a good baseline and understanding of the car before attention shifted to running with 2009 slick Bridgestone tyres as part of the team's preparations for next season. The team made good use of the six sets of slicks available to give Piquet good mileage and acquire data to consider with a view to the design of next year's car. The Brazilian was the cause of one of several red flags today when he went off at Turn 9 lightly hitting the wall with his R28.

For the final day of testing tomorrow, Romain Grosjean returns for his second day of work with the team this week as he continues to get comfortable with the R28.

"It was very hot once again today," said Piquet, "but it has been like that all week so we are getting used to it. We spent most of the day looking ahead to next year by running with slick tyres, which was very interesting. They felt good, gave plenty of grip, and the car was working well. We also did some set-up work, evaluating the changes to try and improve the overall balance. So overall another good day's work."

"The car was working well today and Nelson quickly got in the swing of things," added Christian Silk. "We started the day by doing a little bit of work with 2008 grooved tyres, just to see where we were, but we then spent most of the day running on 2009 tyres in preparation for next year. The initial signs looked quite good and we have collected lots of data, which is quite encouraging and there were no problems. All that information will go back to the factory and be used when we are working on next year's car."

Once again, Kimi Raikkonen was in action for Ferrari as the Finn continued work on comparisons between various set-up options on the F2008 in preparation for the forthcoming races. At the end of the day the World Champion did a run on next season's Bridgestone tyres.

"We have done many tests over these two days to try and understand what happened at Hockenheim and now we have a clearer idea on this matter," said the Finn. "Today, the car had improved compared to yesterday and we hope to be ready for the next rounds. Our opponents are very strong, but there is still a long way to go in this championship and all the time to recover, given that in Formula 1 things can change a lot in no time at all."

Felipe Massa is on duty for the Maranello outfit tomorrow.

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