** Fórmula 1 - Pretemporada 2009 ** Opciones

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Williams reveal 2009 wing package



Williams have become the first team to reveal what the 2009-specification front wings will look like after Jonathan Kennard shook down an FW30 chassis fitted with the new-style front and rear wings at the Kemble airfield today. The team had previously trialled a 2009-style rear wing at Barcelona in September, but today's run was the first time that the revised front wing had been displayed. Most teams are expected to try parts modified for the 2009 regulations in next week's Barcelona sessions.

Under next year's radically different aerodynamic rules, the wings have been simplified with most of the current additional protrusions removed. The front wing is lower and wider, and drivers will be able to make a limited number of wing angle adjustments from the cockpit. The rear wing has been made narrower and taller.

The aim is to improve the quality of the racing by allowing drivers to follow each other more closely in fast corners.

The definitive versions of the 2009 cars will also have different diffusers, slick tyres and kinetic energy recovery systems, and will no longer feature extra aerodynamic devices on the central bodywork.

Kennard's straightline test today was the former Formula 3 front-runner's first run in a Formula One car, and he expressed his gratitude to the team afterwards.

"It has been a good day today and great to be able to drive the new-spec Formula One car for the first time," he said.

"I would like to extend my thanks to Sir Frank (Williams) and the team for the opportunity. I enjoyed working through the test programme and assisting the team with their preparations for the 2009 season."

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:roto


New-look F1 begins work at Barcelona

By Pablo Elizalde Monday, November 17th 2008, 10:26 GMT
A new era of Formula One racing began on Monday when grand prix teams returned to action to begin work on the 2009 season at the Barcelona circuit.

New aerodynamics regulations, as well as the use of slick tyres, will make for very different cars, something that was already evident when the first hybrid machines took to the track this morning at the Spanish circuit.

Teams will also be testing, or at least simulating, the KERS decide, which will also be used next season.

The BMW Sauber team, already using a 2009 aero package, had all eyes on them after the most striking car came out of their garage early in the morning.

With an almost retro-looking flat nose and front wing, the car was markedly different from its previous version.

The German squad, first with test driver Christian Klien and then Robert Kubica at the wheel, are also running their KERS system, which they had already tested on track before.

The Williams team are also running part of their 2009 aero package, with a 2008 front and next year's rear.

World champions Ferrari will have two cars on track, one of them with the 2009 aero package and one with this year's settings. The former was also fitted with ballast that simulates the weight of a KERS device.

McLaren are also working on their KERS system, with Pedro de la Rosa running it in a version of this year's car.

Tyre supplier Bridgestone has taken two different compounds of slicks for the test, although teams are limited to just four sets of the harder option.

Most team have between 10 and 20 sets of tyres available to them.

Today's test is also seeing five-time world rally champion Sebastien Loeb taking to the wheel of a Red Bull F1 car alongside grand prix drivers.