Final test in Barcelona sets Australia countdown in motion

In little under three weeks’ time everyone will be assembled on the Melbourne grid readying themselves for the start of the Australian Grand Prix. But before the curtain is raised on the 2011 championship, the teams have one last chance to wrap up their development programmes, evaluate new upgrades and improve their cars at this week’s final pre-season test.

Following the cancellation of the Bahrain race and the preceding Sakhir test, the pre-season schedule had to be hastily rearranged. This week’s replacement session is being held at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya from Tuesday to Saturday, with the teams running four-day programmes.