The new car also performed reliably, something the team have been concerned about after earlier tests in Spain, with Heidfeld carrying out a full race distance and completing 104 laps with a best time of one minute 30.469 seconds.
That time, set during a qualifying simulation, was close to the circuit race lap record of 1:30.252 set in 2004 by Michael Schumacher [ Images ] in a 3.0 litre V10-engined Ferrari [ Images ] before the sport reduced capacity.
"Today was a good day," Heidfeld told reporters. "We did a race simulation that went problem free, which was very satisfying for us as last time we had some technical problems in the winter runs."
Spain's double world champion Fernando Alonso [ Images ] was second quickest for McLaren [ Images ], in 1:31.225 seconds.
Briton Jenson Button [ Images ] was third fastest for Honda in 1:31.807 and compatriot Lewis Hamilton [ Images ] fourth in 1:31.931 for McLaren.
Button did 117 laps, Alonso 72. Poland's Robert Kubica [ Images ], Heidfeld's team mate, showed BMW's increasing reliability with fifth place on the timesheets after 100 laps.
The Bahrain test has added significance, with the start of the season-opener fast approaching in Australia [ Images ] on March 18, and teams trying out their Melbourne [ Images ] aerodynamic packages for the first time in hot conditions.
this
Users
Comment
article