General overview

These sessions were the first time that teams have been able to test since the start of the season. Teams had a range of objectives that included: testing 2009 set-up (slicks and reduced downforce); adding enhancements to 2008 cars; and getting the set-up right for the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix.

That meant comparisons between the teams were always going to be tricky. It is not surprising that each day featured a different team on top.

Testing was also compromised by the variable conditions — on the third day there was rain, which severely limited many teams' testing programmes that day. let's take a look at what some of the runners and riders got up to over the three day test.

Ferrari

The Scuderia made the biggest waves of the session by debuting the much awaited vented nose cone. By placing a hole in the nose the high pressure air bleeds through the vent increasing the efficiency of the front wing — this has the added benefit of cleaning up airflow around the rear of the car.

Massa set the fastest time of the weekend on day 1 with a 1′18.339. This was with the odd combination of 2008 downforce and slick tyres. On day two the red car was almost two seconds slower on the grooved boots, which is a testament to the difference in performance between the two types of rubber.

Kimi showed up on the third day but his programme was blighted by rain.

McLaren

McLaren claimed it had made a series of major upgrades to the car. Although there were minor changes to the bodywork and front wing the differences were minute, and indeed on the first day the team ran 2009 downforce levels.

The good news for McLaren was that on the second day Lewis was fastest on grooved tyres. Given the strange mix of different testing strategies there is little we can read into his time though.

Renault

The Enstone-based outfit is probably the team that has disappointed most since the start of the year. Despite Alonso's return his much vaunted six-tenths has stayed with McLaren and by his own admission the car is eighth fastest on the grid.

This test presented the first catch up opportunity for the French manufacturer, and they made some big changes. The most prominent was a fin over the engine cover ala Red Bull. It is thought that this increases the stability of the car under braking while also tidying up the airflow at the back. That sounds a bit tenuous but what you can't argue is that it gives more space to precious logos. At least ING were happy.

The team also trialled a new front wing and a J-damper (mimicking the mass damper that was banned in 2006) and Alonso reported that he was pleased with progress but cautioned against expecting too much when the race proper is run this coming weekend. Indeed Alonso was fastest on day two with a 1′18.483 — again slicks and 2008 downfoce levels.

Toro Rosso

Red Bull's sister team unveiled its new car, which Bourdais promptly stuck in the barriers, which may delay its introduction by a couple of races. That's a same for Toro Rosso fans (are there any?) as the car is based on the RB4 chassis, rather than the slower, older RB3.

Honda

In the spirit of running some new aerodynamic enhancements, Honda tested some elephant ears. Like the BMW viking wings these are appended to the front of the car on the nose. The idea is to generate vortices, which control the airflow over the car thereby increasing the rear end grip. There may also be a slight downforce benefit but that is thought to be negligible.

It isn't clear whether the elephant ears will see the light of day at the Spanish Grand Prix. If they do there is a chance the FIA may ban them for obscuring the drivers' view. Given how ugly they are that is only a good thing.