| The island of Menorca is a great place | | | | high-performance Formula 1 cars are the |
| for sun, sand, and surf - less known is | | | | thoroughbreds of motorsports with |
| that it's also a great place for sports | | | | amazing 'horsepower'. |
| - motorsports that is, especially the | | | | Ferrari, seeking to remain the number |
| Formula 1 kind. | | | | one Grand Prix circuit team, tested |
| Late 2007 saw some F1 teams hop over to | | | | their high-tech machines at speeds up to |
| Menorca to utilize the Real Aeroclub de | | | | 300 kilometers per hour. That's also how |
| Mahon airstrip for testing. This | | | | fast thoughts of the workplace |
| airfield, under the care of club | | | | disappear, once you're on this lush |
| president Jose Villalonga, is close to 2 | | | | island known for its leisure qualities. |
| kilometers long. It's an ideal strip for | | | | Ferrari has fifty-seven years of |
| aerodynamic and speed testing fine-tuned | | | | competition under their belts in Formula |
| Formula 1 racecars. | | | | 1. Their first F1 race was May 21, 1950 |
| Menorca is part of the Balearic Islands, | | | | in Monaco. In 2007, they stood atop the |
| which belong to Spain. It's located in | | | | podium as champions once again. Theirs |
| the western Mediterranean and is | | | | is a rich history filled with the joy |
| actually part of an archipelago. This | | | | and heartbreak that is part of the Grand |
| archipelago includes Majorca, Ibiza, | | | | Prix circuit. |
| Formentera, and other islands. Mahon is | | | | This famous racing company also recently |
| the largest city on this island, an | | | | unveiled their new F2008 F1 car. Ready |
| island with over 120 beaches. These | | | | for the new season that kicks off in |
| beaches are especially suitable for | | | | Australia, this racecar was first tested |
| unwinding after a wild day of high-speed | | | | under the guidance of Kimi Raikkonen in |
| test-driving. | | | | early January. To conform to new |
| One team to test here was Ferrari. | | | | regulations the car is heavier. It also |
| Spanish driver Marc Gene was their | | | | has new gearbox specifications, and a |
| tester. Ferrari tested cars for 2008, | | | | new standard electronic system that all |
| when they will attempt to defend their | | | | Formula 1 cars must use. |
| Formula 1 title. The Ferrari cars of | | | | This is the 54th F1 car that Ferrari has |
| Kimi Raikkonen, the Finnish defending | | | | issued for racing in their long history. |
| driver's Champion, and Felipe Massa of | | | | It's another version of the classic red |
| Brazil were tested here. | | | | flash motorsports fans are used to |
| Mercedes McLaren and Honda also tested | | | | seeing on the Grand Prix raceways. |
| their cars on this privately- owned | | | | Formula one teams like Ferrari, McLaren, |
| airfield on Menorca. BMW Sauber and | | | | and Honda added an element of high-speed |
| Toyota are interested in this | | | | excitement to Menorca. The thrill of |
| 'straight-line' testing for 2008 as | | | | racing was a counterpoint to the |
| well. They plan to be on Menorca to put | | | | tranquil atmosphere of this island |
| their cars through their grueling paces. | | | | oasis. |
| Jose Villalonga has the welcome mat out | | | | What more could F1 testers ask for? They |
| to encourage these state-of-the-art car | | | | had breezy island charms and F1's |
| teams to visit Menorca. | | | | chills-down-your-spine excitement all at |
| The airstrip at Mahon recently underwent | | | | one time in Menorca. |
| repairs to enhance its safety. It's now | | | | They should be rested and ready to go in |
| faster, with an ideal surface for this | | | | March when the new Formula 1 season |
| 'straight-line' testing. These | | | | begins. |