2 December 2009Circuit: Jerez de la Frontera – 4.423 kmsDriver: Mirko BortolottiChassis: STR4 - 03Best time: 1:21.761, 79 laps

An Italian driving for an Italian team was our scenario today, as MirkoBortolotti took over from Brendon Hartley in the cockpit of the STR4.The 19 year old from Trento had already experienced the joys ofFormula 1, when he drove a Ferrari at Fiorano just over a year agoas his prize for winning the 2008 Italian Formula 3 championship.This year, Mirko, who is a product of the Red Bull Junior Driverprogramme, finished fourth in the FIA Formula 2 series.

The car suffered some mechanical problems in the morning, whichreduced running time. Therefore in the afternoon, the team opted torun Mirko almost continuously to make up for lost time. The technicalprogramme was similar to yesterday’s, with the team carrying outaero and brake evaluation, as well as running the car heavy toreplicate the full fuel load required as a result of the banning of racerefueling next season.

“I really enjoyed today,” said Mirko at the end of the session. “Beingable to help the team with testing for next year was very interesting,even though I had to spend some time in the garage in the morning.With so little testing allowed in Formula 1, today was very importantfor me, giving me the chance to do some miles.”