The 2008 Formula One season starts with Barcelona test

Today started the preparation for the 2008 season with a three-day testing session at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya in Spain.

All the 11 teams are preparing for the next season, the engineers and drivers started to work on the key rule changes for next season - the banning of traction control and the obligatory use of a standard ECU to control their cars’ engine electronics.

Ferrari asked Michael Schumacher to help them with the preparation for the next season, the German knowledge of the Ferrari cars and his driving experience without the traction control will be very important for the development of next year car.

The newest Formula One team, Force India (formerly Spyker) has a new purple and white livery and test no fewer than five drivers for 2008: Adrian Sutil, Christian Klien, Vitantonio Liuzzi, Roldan Rodriguez and Giedo van der Garde.

Red Bull is running with an Indian driver Karun Chandhok that is hoping to step up into Formula One racing.

Toro Rosso replaced Liuzzi with a French driver Sebastien Bourdais fresh from his swansong Champ Car victory in Mexico at the weekend.

Barcelona first day Test times