The practice sessions are already in progress with 3 members of each team doing the rounds on the circuit. Amongst these 3 drivers, 2 are the actual drivers who compete on the track and one is called a "Test Driver". The test driver tests the engines of the new car and brings them in running condition for the race drivers to use in the practice, qualifying and race sessions. This season, with the entry of a new tyre company - Michelin, a competitor to the existing Bridgestone, the drivers had an additional job of checking the tyre's compatibility with their respective cars. Depending on their compatibility and handling, some teams have gone in for Michelin while others have stuck to the traditional Bridgestone tyres. To tell you some more about the tyres used in this sport, they are hard compound tyres which are very durable at tremendous speeds in the vicinity of 200 - 300 Kms. per hour. The type of tyres used also depends on the weather conditions of the track. Generally slicks are used in dry conditions while grooves are used on wet tracks.
The practice sessions held till now have shown many improvements overall. Almost all the teams have introduced new cars with new engines for the new season. Their testing and improvements are on the way. The new entrants have shown great promise and maturity in the sessions till now and we can very well hope an excellent debut from all of them. The most noticable of them have been Juan Pablo Montoya and Kimi Raikonnen, who have set times in the top five amongst all participating in the sessions. Other laudable performances are those of Oliver Panis, former Mclaren test driver, who set the fastest times in many sessions. David Coulthard has also shown grit and determination to challenge Schumacher and Hakkinen in the upcoming Championship. Michael Schumacher's younger brother Ralf too features in the top timings in some of the practice days till now.
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