03-12-2009, 05:30 PM
BARCELONA: Brawn GP, the new Formula One team that has risen out of the ashes of Honda, took the honours on the third day of testing at the Circuit de Catalunya on Wednesday.
Jenson Button, who has taken a massive wage cut to be a part of the team put together by former Ferrari man Ross Brawn, posted a quickest time of 1min 19.127sec.
That was more than one second faster than the next best time clocked by Ferrari's Felipe Massa and is all the more noteworthy considering Brawn GP was only formed last Friday.
Button was understandably pleased with the performance of BGP 001 which is powered this season by a Mercedes engine.
"It's been another great day and a very positive test generally," said the Briton.
"It's so good to have achieved a full day's running, including a race distance, without any issues and it's fantastic that we clocked up so much mileage.
"After the challenges we have faced, to come here and get off to such an encouraging start is just what we all needed and I can't thank the team enough. All that effort has really paid off and everyone can feel very proud."
Rubens Barrichello will take over from Button for the conclusion of the team's first series of tests on Thursday.
The 2009 season starts in Melbourne on March 29.
Barcelona test times
Jenson Button (GBR) Renault 1min 19.127sec (130 laps)
Felipe Massa (BRA) Ferrari 1:20.168 (109)
Robert Kubica (POL) BMW 1:20.217 (114)
Timo Glock (GER) Toyota 1:20.410 (132)
Fernando Alonso (ESP) Renault 1:20.863 (107)
Sebastian Vettel (GER) Red Bull 1:21.165 (102)
Nico Rosberg (GER) Williams 1:21.324 (89)
Giancarlo Fisichella (ITA) Force India 1:21.545 (97)
Sebastien Buemi (SUI) Toro Rosso 1:21.569 (145)
Lewis Hamilton (GBR) McLaren 1:21.657 (86)
Jenson Button, who has taken a massive wage cut to be a part of the team put together by former Ferrari man Ross Brawn, posted a quickest time of 1min 19.127sec.
That was more than one second faster than the next best time clocked by Ferrari's Felipe Massa and is all the more noteworthy considering Brawn GP was only formed last Friday.
Button was understandably pleased with the performance of BGP 001 which is powered this season by a Mercedes engine.
"It's been another great day and a very positive test generally," said the Briton.
"It's so good to have achieved a full day's running, including a race distance, without any issues and it's fantastic that we clocked up so much mileage.
"After the challenges we have faced, to come here and get off to such an encouraging start is just what we all needed and I can't thank the team enough. All that effort has really paid off and everyone can feel very proud."
Rubens Barrichello will take over from Button for the conclusion of the team's first series of tests on Thursday.
The 2009 season starts in Melbourne on March 29.
Barcelona test times
Jenson Button (GBR) Renault 1min 19.127sec (130 laps)
Felipe Massa (BRA) Ferrari 1:20.168 (109)
Robert Kubica (POL) BMW 1:20.217 (114)
Timo Glock (GER) Toyota 1:20.410 (132)
Fernando Alonso (ESP) Renault 1:20.863 (107)
Sebastian Vettel (GER) Red Bull 1:21.165 (102)
Nico Rosberg (GER) Williams 1:21.324 (89)
Giancarlo Fisichella (ITA) Force India 1:21.545 (97)
Sebastien Buemi (SUI) Toro Rosso 1:21.569 (145)
Lewis Hamilton (GBR) McLaren 1:21.657 (86)