In the evening, Ferrari has hurried to clarify that the F10 problems had nothing to do with the new chassis that Felipe Massa unveiled yesterday.  As a matter of fact, they declared it was time to prepare for Bahrain, making clear that the initial tests were surmounted.

After Massa slid off the track, Vettel improved his time (1:28.162), leaving Red Bull in the third position of the timesheet.  After that lap, the red flag stopped everything; the marshals had to clean the racetrack a bit because when Massa slid off his car, the racetrack received some gravel.

A severe rain showered the racetrack again, with strong winds of 50km/h. which enjoyed the passing by of the single-seaters through the Jerez de la Frontera single-seaters.  Timo Glock did not let the command go as had been rumored and he rolled during the evening, which Lotus could not do, after Kovalainen’s incident where the front wing of the single-seater was destroyed.

Again, under the rain, Barrichello’s Williams was the one that ran more and better in the curvy racetrack of Jerez.  Meanwhile, Buemi, Hamilton, Pretrov and Glock went out to the circuit to take advantage of the last minutes of the day.

Nonetheless, they were not lucky, because again, there was a severe rainstorm that made it impossible to roll at too much rhythm.  So much so that Glock’s Virgin stopped at the first curve, finishing his session before the time.

Another day marked by the rain that altered the programmed unveiling plans and the single-seaters evolution.  Forecast are not better for tomorrow.

Thursday’s Final Times in Jerez

1. Barrichello 1:271.45 (74 lap)
2. Petrov 1:27.828 (34 lap)
3. Vettel 1:28.162 (49 lap)
4. Massa 1:28.879 (46 lap)
5. Rosberg 1:28.964 (41 lap)
6. De la Rosa 1:29.691 (8 lap)
7. Di resta 1:30.344 (33 lap)
8. Glock 1:31.557 (41 lap)
9. Hamilton 1:31.692 (44 lap)
10. Buemi 1:32.678 (43 lap)
11. Kovalainen 1:33.554 (30 lap)

At 9:30 the single-seaters began to go out to the racetrack of the Jerez de la Frontera circuit, during the first day of the 2010 season’s second official unveiling.

In the morning, Fernando Alonso, started to try out the new parts that arrived all the way from Maranello, with the intention to verify mechanical elements performance, for next week when they expect to have new aerodynamic components.

The rain did not miss the appointment.  Even though it was not intense, it certainly was annoying enough during the performance checkup of the F1 racing cars.  When the rain pour began, all the single-seaters had to be taken to the boxes to make wet condition adjustments.

By the time the cars started to go out again, it was almost 10 AM and Nico Rosberg, with his Mercedes GP, was the leader of the first timesheets, even though it was not significant because he was one of the few who made some time before the rain began to fall.  Later on, the pilots were around 12 seconds higher.

Time went by without any interesting event.  In the circuit were: Ferrari, Mercedes GP, Williams, Red Bull, Force India, Toro Rosso and BMW Sauber. The Virgin VR01 must not be prepared for rain for it did not make any lap.

At midday the rain was heavier and the only thing that caught our eye were again the hard-working mechanics running to cover the diffusers to avoid photographers from pleasing us with the latest in aerodynamic novelties.

It was almost 12PM and nothing interesting happened.  There were almost no single-seaters in the racetrack and everything was extremely quiet.  My laptop (mini) seemed to say, “it’s enough for today.”  “I think a diving suit would be a good idea,” I thought and looked for shelter waiting for the rain to stop.

To speak of a duel between Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) and Michael Schumacher (Mercedes GP) may sound exaggerated, but the truth is that again they will be the center of attention during the four pre-season test days in Jerez de la Frontera Circuit.

It was only a few days ago that we saw them rolling with almost a difference of a second in favor of the pilot from Asturias, but none of them mentioned the other, making it more than evident that there is rivalry between them.  To stress this point, it would be sufficient to ask the child to whom Schumacher denied an autograph… and all because he was wearing a Ferrari cap.

Even though the “Kaiser” tried to clarify this incident, it is apparent that “it is not the right moment.”  Schumacher’s appetite has returned and according to a statement by Ross Brawn, they are showing up at the circuit with some changes to improve their presentations and performance in the racetrack.

The two pilots will only concur in the circuit of Cadiz on Thursday, because Alonso will roll tomorrow and day-after-tomorrow, while the ‘Kaiser’ on Thursday and Saturday, according to the provisional plan submitted by the circuit’s press department.

For these second unveiling events, ten teams will roll the first week: McLaren, Ferrari, Sauber, Renault, Red Bull, Toro Rosso, Williams, Force India, Mercedes GP and Virgin GP -.

Together with them, the news at Jerez during these days will be the presentation of the new Red Bull and Force India single-seaters, as well as the first car presented by the new Virgin GP ‘scuderia.’

The ticket prices for these events are five Euros general admission and 10 Euros in VIP grandstand –exactly in front of the boxes-.  The audience will be able to access the circuit from 10.00 AM onwards.  Tests finish at 5:00 PM.

Ferrari ‘scuderia’ is preparing for this season’s second session of tests scheduled for the 10th to the 13th of February at the Spanish circuit of Jerez de la Frontera. Tomorrow morning, the main part of the team will leave Maranello, including the mechanics and the men who work in logistics, telemetry and electronics, while the engineers will get to Spain Tuesday evening.
Four days of tests: Fernando Alonso will begin the shakedowns in the racetrack the first two days, followed by Felipe Massa who will sit behind the steering wheel as of Friday 12th. The F10 has arrived to Jerez subsequent to the examination realized last Wednesday evening in Valencia. The car’s configuration will be substantially the same, compared to its debut: there will only be some minor mechanical changes.
Meanwhile, in Maranello, the works to mount the chassis to the second F10 are well on their way. This single-seater will be used during the third test session, held again at Jerez, from February 17th to the 20th.

The Virgin Racing scuderia, are excited with the scarce sensations they have regarding their single-seater, the ‘VR-01′, after a “successful” shakedown at the British circuit of Silverstone.
The new team will make its pre-season official debut during the tests this week at Jerez de la Frontera. “Last week’s shakedown was a success for the ‘scuderia’ and since it was the first test as teams it simplified our first opportunity of working together, and could not go better. The way the team has worked to achieve such a successful shakedown has been commendable. I’m proud of what we achieved and looking forward to be with the other ‘scuderias’ at the ‘pit lane,’ this week”, said Virgin Racing, Director, John Booth, to ‘formula1.com’.
Even though at Silverstone, Timo Glock only did 42 laps with the ‘VR-01′ and his team-mate the Brazilian, Lucas Di Grassi, lapped 36 times in the British racetrack, for this pilot: “the first impressions a very positive. It’s amazing what the team has accomplished in such a short time. I think we have a great ‘scuderia’ and a strong car to start working in Jerez”, added Di Grassi.
Meanwhile, Virgin Racing Technical Director, Nick Wirth, was also “pleased” with the good sensations of the tests that were performed . “To be able to roll 100 kilometers is a great achievement. We have acquired good data to continue forward in the design of the new parts that we’ll test this week;” he stated.

The Malayan ‘scuderia’, Force India has announced that the presentation of its new single-seater for the 2010 Formula One World Championship will take place next Tuesday through the Internet.  A day before the second period of collective testing at the Jerez de la Frontera circuit.

The new single-seater called ‘VJM03′ will be launched at 10.00 AM.  It seems that this year’s trend is to make presentations online; Virgin Racing will also launch its single-seater through Internet.

The car for the 2010 season has been created by a team led by the technical director, James Key and the design director, Mark Smith, and it will be the first one that is presented with Otmar Szafnauer as new operations chief.

Yesterday, Force India introduced its new test pilot, the DTM star, Paul di Resta, also assuming the position of reserve pilot for the 2010 season.

The German, Michael Schumacher (Mercedes), who this year will return to Formula One after being retired for three years, described as "very positive " the test he carried out with a GP2, last week in Jerez de la Frontera’s circuit, declaring he felt as though he had never left.

>    "The tests were wonderful; I cannot say the contrary. We’ve had the rain drawback during the first two days, but on the third day we advanced a lot.  As a matter of fact we simulated a race with smooth tires.  It was much better than I expected, and immediately felt well in the car.  It was as if I had never gone," Schumacher stated in an interview in his web page.

>    In addition, the seven-times world champion declared that he’s “totally recovered” from the neck problems he suffered last year, and is convinced that “they’re over” and will not cause “any more problems.”

>    "Since, December I’ve been physically training very carefully and I feel in very good shape.  That’s one of the reasons why I felt so well in the car at Jerez, even thought I’m aware that the Formula One is a different thing.  G forces are stronger and higher, so they cannot be compared,” he explained.

>    Regarding the World Championship, Schumacher said he “wants to win the Championship" and he’ll fight for it "from the beginning," while simultaneously he praised his new team.  "The galaxy that Mercedes has available is unique, with Ross (Brawn) and his winning team, with Mercedes’ expertise, and with the best engine there currently is," he elaborated.

> "AFTER MY WITHDRAWAL I FELT FREE AND RELIEVED ".

>    Finally, the German pilot indicated that these three years away from the 'Great Circus' have been good for him and helped him because he felt "free and releived," after two “very demanding” campaigns.

> "Not releived from the races which I have always loved, but of all those things resulting from living under constinuous scrutiny.  Taking it easy for three years was good for me," he added.

>    Accordingly, now the 'Kaiser' maintains feeling "with totally charged batteries " and "full of energy, again."  "I’m aware of how I’ve got that itch to race again and how motivated I am, because I’m looking forward to the competition’s start-up.

> “The time has come to begin all this,” Schumacher concluded.