While their colleagues tested in sunny Spain today, Ferrari and Toro Rosso, thanks to the obvious link to the Prancing Horse’s engine supply, took to the Mugello circuit in Italy where they experienced variable conditions including some rain at the end of the morning.

Test driver Luca Badoer was in action for Ferrari, however it was the Toro Rosso of Tonio Liuzzi who topped the timesheets on day one. To explain the unusual fact that today, the Bull was quicker than the Horse, it should be noted that Ferrari was evaluating a new electronics package based on 2008 regulation requirements.

A few hours were lost for Toro Rosso because of a mechanical problem in the morning, but after that the focus was on set-up work aimed at improving the balance of the car, and evaluation of new brake materials. Aero work was also on the agenda, some of it for the forthcoming Hungarian Grand Prix.

Liuzzi – Toro Rosso – 1:24.203 – 80 laps

Badoer – Ferrari – 1:24.633 – 50 laps