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