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