Young German Formula 1 driver Sebastian Vettel, driving the Ferrari-powered Toro Rosso car, set today the fastest time in the first day of private testing held in Jerez, south of Spain.

With the exception of Toyota with Jarno Trulli and Vettel, all teams ran their 3rd drivers.

Gary Paffett set the 2nd fastest time in the McLaren-Mercedes, beating Luca Badoer and the Ferrari F2008.

The team started to the 2009 aerodynamic package and the new Bridgestone slick tires.

The day was marred by a bizarre incident. A BMW-Sauber mechanic suffered an electric shock after touching a car fitted with the energy recovery system (KERS) device in the morning.

DRIVER TEAM BEST
1 VETTEL Toro Rosso 1 :19.844
2 PAFFETT McLaren 1 :20.179
3 BADOER Ferrari 1 :20.697
4 HULKENBERG Williams 1 :20.953
5 BUEMI Red Bull Racing 1 :20.997
6 GROSJEAN ING Renault F1 Team 1 :21.223
7 TRULLI Toyota 1 :21.459
8 WURZ Honda 1 :21.596
9 KLIEN BMW No times

Unofficial timing