Barcelona  - The global economic crisis and the resultant cost-cutting measures imposed on Formula One appears to have drawn the competing teams closer together as they began testing this week at the Circuit de Catalunya near Barcelona.

"It's a unique moment in the history of Formula One," said Ferrari and Formula One Teams Organisation (FOTA) boss Luca di Montezemolo.

FOTA, which represents the 10 teams in the sport, reached unanimous agreement last week on a series of proposals to help F1 survive the global financial crisis.

Barcelona - Toro Rosso was the final Formula One team to unveil its car for the 2009 season Monday when it presented the new STR4 at the Circuit de Catalunya just outside Barcelona where the team is testing this week.

"Our target has to be that we leave the circuit on Sunday evening conscious that we have done the best possible job," said team boss Franz Tost.

Drivers Sebastien Bourdais and Sebastien Buemi have just under three weeks to get used to the car before the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 29.

Madrid - Real Madrid fans are not confident about their team winning at Liverpool on Tuesday in a Champions League round of 16 clash, according to an online poll taken by Madrid sports daily AS.

Only 35 per cent of readers voted "yes", with 65 per cent opting for "no" to the question, "Do you think that Real Madrid can turn the tie around in Anfield?." Almost 105,000 votes were cast by Monday morning.

Real lost the first leg 1-0 at home two weeks ago, on a late goal from Yosi Benayoun. Therefore, they need to win in Anfield to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since
2004.

Madrid - Barcelona are now six points ahead in the Spanish Liga after defeating Athletic Bilbao 2-0 on Saturday and after Real Madrid were held to a 1-1 draw by lively crosstown rivals Atletico.

Barca's first win in four games leaves them with 63 points from 26 games, six more than Real.

Barca coach Josep Guardiola, true to form, refused to get carried away with the win.

Madri