Zoom Slick tyres and 2008 wings for Vettel and Red Bull

The second post-season test at Jerez came to a close today, marking the end of running for the year at the 4.428km test circuit.

The sixth day of running this month at Jerez saw a new name at the top of the timesheets, albeit in a Red Bull Renault, as Sebastian Vettel broke Sebastien Buemi's string of chart-topping times.

Vettel, who has moved from Toro Rosso to Red Bull and is expected to be replaced by Buemi at STR, recorded a best lap of 1:16.617s, four-tenths of a second quicker than any other time this month. Buemi was second fastest today, just under four-tenths adrift.

Once again the times mean little as the Red Bull owned teams have yet to run the 2009-spec wings in testing, while BMW Sauber and Williams were running in the low downforce configuration to comply with next year’s regulations.

Robert Kubica and Christian Klien proved evenly matched, the latter running the KERS-equipped F1.08B as they posted the third and fourth fastest times respectively.

Kazuki Nakajima continued in the interim Williams Toyota and was fifth fastest, putting in an impressive 131 laps in total as the Grove-based squad prepare for the new regulations.

The teams now take a short break for Christmas before testing and car launches commence in earnest next month.

Jerez - 17/12/2008
1 . S. Vettel - Red Bull Renault RB4 - 1:16.617 (+ 0.000 ) - 107 laps
2 . S. Buemi - Red Bull Renault RB4 - 1:16.988 (+ 0.371 ) - 92 laps
3 . R. Kubica - BMW Sauber F1.08 - 1:19.013 (+ 2.396 ) - 100 laps
4 . C. Klien - BMW Sauber F1.08 - 1:19.066 (+ 2.449 ) - 38 laps
5 . K. Nakajima - Williams Toyota FW30 - 1:19.341 (+ 2.724 ) - 131 laps.

Earl ALEXANDER
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