Israel says it has successfully tested an anti-rocket system developed to protect the country from short-range rocket and artillery attack from Lebanon and Gaza, defense officials said.
McLaren’s Hamilton was way off the pace in Friday’s opening practice sessions in Melbourne, finishing 16th and 18th. It was scarcely better for Ferrari, with Felipe Massa, Hamilton’s title rival last season 10th in the afternoon session and teammate Kimi Raikkonen in 11th. Topping the time sheets were last season’s also-rans Williams and Toyota along with Formula One newcomers Brawn GP, formerly the Honda line-up. The three teams are all using controversial rear diffusers to aid their aerodynamic performance. Rival teams, including Ferrari, have lodged an official protest against the bodywork which will be heard after the second race of the season in Malaysia. Hamilton told the Press Association that the outlook for the opening race of the season was bleak. “Optimistically we can get a point, but I don’t think so somehow,” he admitted. “But we have to stay positive because anything can happen, and we can get some points. “In terms of true pace at the moment I don’t think we are quick enough. ” Nico Rosberg, driving a Williams, posted the fastest times in both the morning and afternoon session on Friday, with a best of one minute 26.053 seconds in the second. Brawn’s Rubens Barrichello was second fastest in the second session with Toyota’s Jarno Trulli in third.
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Jenson Button, who has had to play second fiddle with the emergence of British rival Hamilton, was fifth and sixth quickest with many experts making him favorite for Sunday’s race. Brawn GP, run by former Ferrari technical guru Ross Brawn, were formed after Honda pulled out of Formula One because of the global economic downturn. Brawn kept the same driver line up of Brazil’s Barrichello, the most experienced driver on the F1 grid, and Button. Friday’s afternoon session was held at 5pm local time, leaving the drivers to compete for the first time in ‘twilight’ conditions. Sunday’s race will start at the same time to fit into European television schedules. Saturday will see the first qualifying session of the season where grid positions for the race proper will be decided.
