Bahrain - Thursday - Testing The Bahraini public filled the seats set out for them at the Bahrain International Circuit today, taking advantage of the exclusive opportunity to see the three teams present.
With over 1,500 people coming through the turnstiles the event was a great success and gave many people a chance to get up close and personal with the stars of the forthcoming Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix which marks the start of the 2006 FIA Formula One World Championship on March 10-12.
The crowds witnessed an intriguing day’s action from the three teams present, with seven-time World Champion and winner of the inaugural Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, Michael Schumacher, again thwarted in putting too many miles on his new Ferrari 248 F1 by technical difficulties. Honda, meanwhile, continued to set the 2.4-litre V8 pace and continued to rack up the mileage as Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello logged 233 laps between them.
Scuderia Toro Rosso concluded its testing schedule with the RB1 with the car being shared by both American debutant Scott Speed and Italian charger Vitantonio Liuzzi, showing a strong turn of speed in the restricted 3.0-litre V10-engined car.
There were further surprises for the crowds to enjoy at Bahrain International Circuit today. In the Vending Area behind the main grandstand the Bahrain International Circuit team and Ferrari organized an impromptu autograph session at the end of the day with both race driver Felipe Massa and test driver Luca Badoer in attendance. Over 200 happy spectators left the circuit with the drivers. signatures, but for one fan there was an even bigger surprise in store today.
Four-year-old George happened to find himself face-to-face with his hero Michael Schumacher after the former World Champion was left stranded in the pit lane and challenged him to a game of football. “It was fun!” he said. “Michael is my favourite driver. He thought I was good and I scored a goal.”
Shaikh Salman Bin Isa Al-Khalifa, Director of Government Affairs and PR at Bahrain International Circuit, said: “We are delighted with the public response to our open day. As the countdown to the race has gone on, so the level of excitement in the Bahraini community has gone upwards like never before. That is why we have organized the Yalla Bahrain ! festivities with the Bahrain Economic Development Board throughout the month ahead, as a celebration of Bahrain and the Bahrain Grand Prix, and clearly we can look forward to our best event yet.”
Bahrain - 16/02/06
1. F. Massa - Ferrari F2004 V10 - 1`30"578 (+0"000) - 90 laps
2. J. Button - Honda RA106 - 1`31"254 (+0"676) - 133 laps
3. V. Liuzzi - Toro Rosso Cosworth RB1 - 1`31"380 (+0"802) - 56 laps
4. R. Barrichello - Honda RA106 -1`31"590 (+1"012) - 101 laps
5. S. Speed - Toro Rosso Cosworth RB1 - 1`32"640 (+2"062) - 62 laps
6. M. Schumacher - Ferrari 248 F1 - 1`32"909 (+2"331) - 23 laps
Tags:
grand-prix,
