The two big stories emanating from testing in Barcelona this week have been the McLaren's lack of pace and the Brawn GP's speed from its first outing onwards. Theories on McLaren have abounded but Mercedes' Norbert Haug has given the "problems" camp a boost with his admission today that the car is not behaving as well as expected. There is time yet for the team to fix the problem, however, with a four day test at Jerez scheduled for next week and it would be a brave commentator who writes them off at this stage.
Giancarlo Fisichella in the Force India VJM02
Any team can run into difficulties when a new design first hits the road, so McLaren's problem should not surprise us too much. The really big news is the pace of the Brawn BGP 001; can anyone say with complete honesty that this was to be expected? After a season arguing with Force India over last spot on the grid and a winter of doubt and confusion, it is only natural that the most optimistic of us should have hoped for little better than midfield pace.
Thoughts of light fuel loads to impress potential sponsors are dispelled by Ross Brawn's measured comments today - the team is in no hurry to acquire new backers, thereby implying that there is sufficient money available to compete for the time being. Testing may be a poor yardstick but there is still good publicity in being fastest each day.
Let us not forget the impressive speed and consistency of the Toyota TF109 throughout the tests. Both Toyota drivers have set good times on the circuits used so far and observers are increasingly pointing at the team as contenders for the coming season. Don't say I didn't warn you!
Ferrari remain the team to beat, with both Raikkonen and Massa setting good times when they feel like it, and BMW play their usual game of "now you see it, now you don't" - they will be competitive when the times comes, I'm sure. The Williams FW31 has been quick when the team want it to be but is not really a front runner yet. Renault and Red Bull are slightly disappointing; Alonso might put in a quick one now and then but the general impression is that Renault has a lot of work to do yet. And Adrian Newey's RB5 seems less than a world beater, even in the hands of Sebastian Vettel.
Scuderia Toro Rosso have had a few problems with their version of Newey's design; after limited running, the STR4 is not quite as fast as its sister car. In contrast, Force India has surprised somewhat by being able to run with the midfield teams and that leaves me at a loss to suggest a tail end charlie for 2009. At present that would be McLaren but I really cannot believe such a situation will continue.
The afternoon session continues and I will add the final times when the session is over.
Day 3 times, Barcelona
Jenson Button, Brawn GP 00:01'19''127
Felipe Massa, Ferrari 00:01'20''168
Robert Kubica, BMW-Sauber 00:01'20''217
Timo Glock, Toyota 00:01'20''410
Fernando Alonso, Renault 00:01'20''863
Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull 00:01'21''165
Nico Rosberg, Williams 00:01'21''407
Giancarlo Fisichella, Force India 00:01'21''545
Sebastien Buemi, Toro Rosso 00:01'21''569
Lewis Hamilton, McLaren 00:01'21''657