Tuesday: Buemi fastest in Jerez

UPDATE Rain in the afternoon meant times did not improve from the morning. The day was neatly divided in two by the weather, which was dry at first, before rain affected the afternoon running. Most cars went out on track in the same configuration as at the previous Barcelona test, with downforce levels replicating those expected from the new aero rules for next year. Tires were also the same Bridgestone "soft" slicks. At Toro Rosso both Sebastiens concentrated on set-up work, with Buemi additionally assessing various aero options. The rain saw a switch to wet weather tires, with the two drivers running a comparison between this year's rain tire and a development tire for the 2010 season.

12/09/08 Formula One teams returned to the test track in Jerez this morning, as they continued with the preparations for 2009. A greatly reduced field of just eight drivers took to the track before lunchtime, with the absence of Toyota, Honda and Force India meaning just seven teams made it to the second test of the post-season. All teams bar McLaren had just a single driver on duty, conserving mileage before they hit the 30,000 km limit by the end of the year.

By the time the teams broke for lunch, Sébastien Buemi, this time piloting a Red Bull, replacing the injured Mark Webber, set the fastest time, half a second quicker than Toro Rosso's Sébastien Bourdais. McLaren occupied third and fourth places, while Kimi RÃ¤ikkÃ¶nen made his return to the test track in the F2008.

Once again, BMW Sauber and Williams were the only teams to test with 2009 wings, the latter having kicked off their week's testing with Dani Clos yesterday. Renault's Nelson Piquet was the final driver on-track, clocking the seventh-quickest time.

So far this morning, there has been just a single red flag period, when Kazuki Nakajima ended up in the gravel an hour before midday.

Unofficial morning times
1. Sébastien Buemi (Toro Rosso-Ferrari) – 1:18.742, 53 laps
2. Sébastien Bourdais (Toro Rosso-Ferrari) – 1:19.288, 33 laps
3. Gary Paffett (McLaren-Mercedes) – 1:20.134, 20 laps
4. Pedro de la Rosa (McLaren-Mercedes) – 1:20.261, 29 laps
5. Kimi RÃ¤ikkÃ¶nen (Ferrari) – 1:20.261, 29 laps
6. Nick Heidfeld (BMW Sauber-BMW) – 1:20.910, 30 laps
7. Nelson Piquet Jr. (Renault) – 1:21.547, 66 laps
8. Kazuki Nakajima (Williams-Toyota) – 1:22.724, 30 laps