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LONDON - Brazilian Felipe Massa kept Ferrari top of the timesheets for the third day in a row today as Formula One teams wrapped up the final major pre-season test.
Massa, partnered by Finland's Kimi Raikkonen this season following the retirement of seven times champion Michael Schumacher, lapped Bahrain's Sakhir circuit in one minute 29.989 seconds.
He tested in the morning only, but was using the team's latest aerodynamic package ahead of the season-opener in Melbourne on March 18.
"At the moment it looks like we are quite strong with a good package," Massa told the Autosport website (www.autosport.com). "We've made a big step forward in terms of set up work and aerodynamics.
"I have to say I'm really happy and optimistic. I'm ready for the first race."
Finland's Heikki Kovalainen was second quickest for Renault in 1:30.384 with the world champions showing a marked improvement.
Renault's Italian Giancarlo Fisichella was third in 1:30.498 with Raikkonen fourth and double world champion Fernando Alonso fifth for McLaren.
American Scott Speed was the busiest driver on track, completing 124 laps for Ferrari-powered Toro Rosso and finishing eighth of the 16 drivers present.
"Last week was a shakedown for us really and every day more and more parts have arrived here from the factory, which have helped us to improve reliability and performance," said chief engineer Laurent Mekies in a statement.
- REUTERS
