GP Prep, the young drivers testing initiative set up by Lewis Hamilton’s father Anthony, has been officially approved by Formula One Management. The scheme has launched a website inviting applications from drivers. The scheme will allow young drivers to test modern Formula 1 cars outside of the restrictions imposed on teams’ testing.

Heikki Kovalainen has denied saying his Lotus T127 is worse than the Minardi he tested in 2003.

Ferrari has revealed a concept road car using F1 KERS technology at the Geneva Motor Show. The HY-KERS is based on a 599 GTB Fiorano but features a Kinetic Energy Recovery System similar to that used by the F1 team the F60 last year.

After an extended detour back to London I began the F1 Fanatic 2010 Season Preview on the site yesterday. We’ll have much more of that between now and Bahrain. I’ll be getting in touch with everyone who offered to help out on the live blogs soon so if you want to get involved this year make sure you let me know

Every year when the Australian Grand Prix rolls around it seems we get a new rumour about the race moving to a different location. This year a new venue at Avalon is being tipped by the Sunday Herald Sun : The Confederation of Australian Motor Sport has been granted funding to conduct a feasibility study to build the state-of-the-art complex near Avalon Airport. The move would improve Victoria’s chance of retaining the Grand Prix beyond the current contract as well as providing a facility that would enable the state to run the race under lights.

World champion Jenson Button believes team mate Lewis Hamilton’s long run in the McLaren yesterday shows the team are in good shape ahead of the first race of the season: In Jerez Lewis and myself found it reasonably difficult, because it was so cold it was difficult to get the tyres working.

A slight hitch on the return trip from Barcelona means I landed in my native Manchester rather than London, where I live. My brother picked me up from the airport and I promised him a shout-out in return, so here you go Ratboy… I’ll make the trek down south later today. I should be speaking to McLaren duo Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button in the afternoon so keep an eye out for their thoughts on the site later today.

Michael Schumacher is pleased with the progress Mercedes have made in the Barcelona test but thinks McLaren stood out as one of the strongest cars on the final day: [McLaren] looked very strong today, absolutely. But it depends who is going to bring what to Bahrain. Michael Schumacher At one point Schumacher ran in close company with Lewis Hamilton and he took the opportunity to find out how well 2010 F1 cars can overtake: It was fun.

These are the fastest combined times from the Barcelona F1 test for each driver. Also below is the data on the total amount of distance covered by each driver, team and engine in the tests. Best times from the Barcelona test Times from all four days combined

We don’t see enough helmet-cams in F1 – the last time I remember seeing one was during David Coulthard’s final appearance at Interlagos in 2008.