17/11/2010
NEWS STORY
Australian hotshot Daniel Ricciardo (right) continued to set the pace at Yas Island today, the second and final day of Young Driver testing. It was also the final appearance of Bridgestone tyres on F1 cars as the Japanese manufacturer bows out of the sport after 14 seasons.
Like yesterday, Red Bull used the opportunity to test mechanical development parts for 2011, complete some durability testing and try different brake materials.
"It was cool to do this test and great to get so close to the big boys times from the weekend!" said Ricciardo. "It's very rare to get a perfect car, but I have to say this is very close. It's a pleasure to drive it, you brake and you turn and the car does everything as you imagine it would. I think I got most of my nerves out of the way before last year's test, so I was more relaxed this time, although you are always a little nervous getting into the car on day one. We did more long runs today which went well - it's been a great two days and it would be fantastic to get the chance to drive in Formula One full-time."
"Daniel has done a great job for us in the car over the last two days and made no mistakes," added Ian Morgan, the Austrian outfit's head of race engineering, "we're very happy with him. We completed our programme and got though everything as planned, despite losing some track time this afternoon due to a few Red Flags - although they weren't anything to do with Daniel!"
Sebastian Vettel will be back in the cockpit for the two-day test which begins on Friday, driving the RB6 again on the circuit where he claimed his title, just five days previously.
Having driven the Virgin yesterday, Jerome d'Ambrosio was in the Renault today, the Belgian completing 83 laps on his way to posting the second best time of the day.
"Overall it has been a fantastic day," he said. "Obviously I have some previous experience in Formula 1, but this was my first full day in the car so it was a big step for me. It always takes some time to adapt to a new car, but I quickly felt comfortable in the R30 and we found a good balance early on. I'm really happy with how things went and I have to say thanks to all the engineers, mechanics and the entire team who have helped me today. Working with these guys really was a great experience."
"We ran Jerome for the first time today and managed to do some productive work," added Alan Permane. "He improved with each run and showed very strong pace at the end of the day. Like yesterday we started off with some aero work early on and then concentrated on a suspension set-up programme in the afternoon. We were very impressed with Jerome in and out of the car and his feedback was excellent: he's very precise on what the car is doing and what he wants from the car to make it faster."
Sam Bird continued for Mercedes as the Brackley based team focussed on set-up development work during the morning to fine-tune the car before concentrating on performance comparisons in the afternoon session.
"Today the team and I continued our set-up programme and had an extremely productive day in which we learnt a great deal about the car," said Bird. "I have thoroughly enjoyed myself and I would like to thank everyone at Mercedes for making me feel so welcome, both here in Abu Dhabi and at the factory prior to the test, and for a memorable two days. I hope we will be able to work together again in the future."
"Sam has worked very well with his engineers and the team over the course of the two-day test," added Ross Brawn, "proving himself to be professional and disciplined in the car, with an excellent grasp of our procedures and our requirements from the test programme. I have been very impressed with his performance and it has been a very useful two days for the team and Sam. I am sure that this experience, both working with the team and driving the car, will prove very useful for the development of Sam's career."
Gary Paffett was on duty for McLaren, the Englishman completing 84 laps as the team focussed on set-up work and tyre data-gathering.
Jules Bianchi continued for Ferrari, the youngster charged with gathering data on the handling of the car and continuing to get to grips with the intricacies of his new role.
"The past two days have been very interesting," said the Frenchman. "We were able to gather a lot of data to improve our understanding of the handling of the car and for me, it was useful in terms of my work with the team next year. While yesterday we did not run much, today we did a lot of laps and also tried to set some times. The track had improved, also because there were no longer the cones at some corners, so you could cut the line. For me, it was a great way to finish what has been a positive season, given that I finished third in the GP2 championship."
Sergio Perez, one of a number of drivers making his F1 debut this week, completed 91 laps. The 20-year-old Mexican from Guadalajara is to partner Kamui Kobayashi next season, the first Mexican driver in F1 in three decades.
"I am very happy to have completed my first day of testing with my new team," he said. "I think in the course of the day I got closer to the limit. I was very happy with the way we worked. Today I tested different parts of the car and in general I really learned a lot about all the procedures, which are quite different to what I'm used to from GP2. I'm very much looking forward to getting into the car again on Saturday afternoon!"
"Sergio did a good job today for his first experience in an F1 car," added technical director James Key. "This morning was very much a step-by-step approach as it was Sergio's very first time in an F1 car, which always means a big step, in particular in terms of all the information and procedures a driver has to deal with. We did several useful tests and practice starts before conducting some aero tests. The first half of the afternoon was for aero tests on used tyres, the second half was spent on set-up with new tyres. Sergio's runs with new tyres were interrupted several times by red flags. As for Esteban yesterday, we kept the same normal fuel level all day long and refrained from using the F-duct. I want to say farewell to Bridgestone and thanks to them for all their efforts over the years!"
On Friday Kobayashi will be testing the new Pirelli tyres and will continue to do so until the lunch break on Saturday when Perez will be take over.
Force India has Paul di Resta on duty for the opening 90 minutes of today's session before handing the VJM03 over to Yelmer Buurman for the remainder of the day.
Dutchman Buurman completed a solid day as he ran different aero and fuel settings to get used to the demands and challenges of an F1 car. He completed 67 laps with a best time of 1:41.178, the 10th quickest time of the day.
"Again it was a very short time out on track," said di Resta, "but we managed to complete our programme, which included running some aero items and evaluating set ups. The track has improved massively from yesterday and I'm sure it will be very different when I get back out again on Friday, but it was good to get some more time out there to be as ready as possible for the next outing."
"Obviously it's an amazing experience to finally get out on track in an F1 car," added Buurman. "You go into it expecting something and it's even more impressive than you imagined. I was really blown away by the performance and the steering, but I felt I got used to it quite quickly. It's been a great day, although not everything worked out as planned with several red flags that interrupted a lot of our runs. At the end we then stopped out on track and ran out of time to make a run on the new tyres and that would have put us higher up the order. This was my first step into F1. My aim is to do more F1 testing in 2011 combined with GP2 or Superleague Formula and to be a F1 race driver in 2012, with the support of some Dutch multinationals we are talking to. I am ready for it and like to thank Force India F1 for this test today."
"Paul began today's final day of F1 testing on Bridgestone tyres with some more preparation for the coming new tyre test in a little over 24 hours," said Dominic Harlow, the Silverstone outfit's chief race engineer. "Yelmer then took over the car for the remainder of the day improving steadily through a run plan consisting of familiarisation with the car and team and both practice and race simulation. Unfortunately the car stopped out on track just before the planned low fuel run, which would have given a chance to improve on the overall time."
2010 GP2 champion Pastor Maldonado, who drove the Hispania yesterday, was in the Williams FW32 today as the Grove outfit worked on aero testing, baseline and familiarisation runs.
"Today was another great experience," said the Venezuelan. "We had to do a lot of slower speed aero set-up work today so I couldn't really push it, and I didn't get a run of the soft tyre either, but I'm pleased with the work I've done. I'm getting lots of track time this week, which is improving my confidence in the car."
"Pastor covered a lot of mileage, just under 450km, while helping us with our aero tests," added Tom McCullough, the Grove outfit's senior test engineer. "Unfortunately, we had a reliability problem at the end of the day which prevented him from running the soft tyre, but overall it was a positive session during which time we've gathered plenty of data."
Jean-Eric Vergne was on duty for toro Rosso however, the team stopped testing, as planned, two hours before the end of the session, because the Frenchman had to rush off to Macau, where he starts free practice at ten o'clock on Thursday morning. Vergne's morning session ended slightly ahead of schedule when engine data revealed an engine parameter was not as it should be, so he was instructed to switch off and park the car. As this is a test, the Faenza outfit is using engines that are near the end of their mileage life, therefore, there was no cause for concern and the engine was changed during the lunch break.
"These have been two special days for me, having my first drive in an F1 car," said Vergne. "My first run yesterday is something I will remember, with the high speeds being particularly impressive, especially through the corners thanks to the amount of aero downforce you have. It took me a couple of runs to adapt to my new surroundings before we actually started working through a test programme aimed at next year's car. I was pleased that the first day also went well from my side in that I did not go off the track and there were no difficulties with my physical condition. I also got to do a long run which was an interesting experience, driving with such a heavy fuel load on board. Today, we did some set-up work, so that I could begin to experience the basic mechanism of how set-up changes affect the car. There is a lot to think about, with so much information to take on board, much more than I am used to and another aspect that felt strange at first was driving with the power steering. It's been a very hectic but enjoyable time and now I head to Macau where I start free practice tomorrow morning."
"Jean-Eric put in a good performance over these two days and our engineers were impressed with the feedback he was able to provide," said team boss Franz Tost. "He completed a total of 154 laps without making any driving mistakes, gradually stepping up his pace over the course of the test. Today, Jean-Eric completed just 61 laps, as he now has to dash off to Macau for the famous Formula 3 race on the street circuit, which is a once in a lifetime opportunity for any young racing driver. We wish him the best of luck there this coming weekend and, based on his performance here in Abu Dhabi, I am sure we will see him in Formula 1 on a permanent basis in the future."
GP2 Series drivers Josef Kral and Davide Valsecchi were in action for Hispania, both completed their first ever day at the wheel of an F1 car. The Czech driver was first in the car this morning covering a total of 61 laps. Kral has made a strong comeback having suffered an accident in the GP2 sprint race in Valencia at the end of June. The 20-year-old soon got used to the car and kept on improving his lap times during the morning session, but it was minutes after the lunch break when he clocked his best time of the day on prime tyres.
It was then turn for the 2010 GP2 Asia Champion Davide Valsecchi to jump into the HRT F110 car and experience Formula 1 power for the first time. It didn't take him long to feel comfortable and start improving his lap times, driving at a constant pace during an afternoon that was interrupted on various occasions due to red flags.
"Josef Kral showed a good performance, just like Pastor Maldonado did yesterday," said Colin Kolles. "He got used to the car very quickly, improved continuously and completed the whole intended testing program. He had some problems with his seat position, but he managed to complete 61 laps. Davide Valsecchi, who sat in the car in the afternoon, found his way immediately. He was very fast after only four laps and he kept on improving the lap times. We are very happy to have given these two young talents the opportunity to do their first laps in a Formula 1 car. We want to thank Bridgestone for all its support during our first year in Formula 1."
"I am very happy to have had the chance to make my debut with Hispania Racing in a Formula 1 car during the Young Drivers Test in Abu Dhabi and I am very thankful for that," said Kral. "The car was great and I really enjoyed doing 61 laps today. The first ones were a bit difficult but then I got more and more used to driving around and could go quicker. Unfortunately, I didn't sit properly in the car as I am taller than the regular drivers of the team, so my head was further up and it made it harder to drive. But it was a successful day for me and I hope to be in a Formula 1 car again in the future."
"Driving a Formula 1 car for the first time today was a moment I will always remember the rest of my life," added Valsecchi. "After waiting for this moment to arrive for so long, when I finally got in the car I concentrated on getting as much experience as possible and therefore I took it easy. I couldn't put the sectors together on my fastest lap otherwise I could have done even better, but I am happy with the result. I had to get used to the option tyre and couldn't really use it. But with more time to work on the set-up of the car and more experience with this tyre compound I think that I could have been even quicker. I want to thank the team for giving me this incredible and unique opportunity to do 32 laps in the HRT F110 and to have made my dream come true and being able to do my debut in a Formula 1 car."
Virgin test driver Luiz Razia was at the wheel of the VR-01 for a full day today, the Brazilian having driven the the once car before during a promotional day at the start of the season - however he was not able to run with the benefit of competition tyres on that occasion and therefore today was the team's first real opportunity to evaluate his performance.
He completed 70 laps over 12 runs as he evaluated gearbox and suspension developments, and carrying out aerodynamic mapping runs and performing setup work.
"I am really happy with what we have achieved today," said the Brazilian. "I managed to make the best of the opportunity and the track conditions and we have done some good work on our final day of running on the Bridgestone tyres. It took me a few laps to get fully up to speed with all the buttons on the steering wheel but after a while I felt very comfortable. It has been a real pleasure to drive the car in representative conditions and to be able to work so closely with the team. Thanks to everyone who has supported me today. I would also like to thank my personal sponsors BVA and Coralis for their support at this test."
"Another very good day today," added team principal John Booth. "We achieved our best ever daily mileage on a single car and successfully completed our test programme. Luiz quickly got up to speed and did everything that was asked of him. His feedback was excellent, he made no mistakes and he set some very competitive lap times. He was also a pleasure to work with, as always, and I would like to thank him for his valuable contribution to the team this year. Today was also our last day working with Bridgestone and we thank them for their support throughout our debut season."
Lotus had Rodolfo Gonzalez back at the wheel of its T127-03 this morning, and Bulgaria's Vladimir Arabadzhiev in the seat for the afternoon session.
"It was good make some more progress today," said Gonzalez, "and I was getting quicker every time I went out on track. I was still running with a reasonable amount of fuel and I'm happy with the job I did today as I think I reacted well to the changes that we made, and the instructions I was given by the team. I want also to say thank you again to Lotus Racing for giving me this opportunity. I have really enjoyed it and have definitely learnt a huge amount over the last few days."
"First of all I want to say thank you for this great opportunity which Lotus Racing gave me," added Arabadzhiev. "It was an unbelievable experience to drive an F1 car - the first time I went out was just fantastic. The feeling of the acceleration and the braking are phenomenal and I enjoyed every second. Unfortunately I only had half a day in the car which isn't quite enough time to really start building up experience, but I still think I did quite well with the laps I had and with the red flags we had in the session. Quite often people try too hard to impress in these sorts of sessions, pushing too hard and making mistakes, and I'm glad I didn't do that. Finally, the whole experience today was just great - seeing how such a well organised team like Lotus Racing works has been amazing and thanks to everyone again for making it such a good day."
"Firstly we would like to thank both Rodolfo and Vladimir for doing such a good job for us in their first time in a Formula One car," said Mike Gascoyne. "Their input with the team has been exactly what we wanted and they have both done a fantastic job working exactly to the programme we set them. Most importantly neither driver made any mistakes and they both gave us very impressive feedback which is what we need from them in this type of test."
The teams now take a one day break before a two-day tyre test gets underway on Friday, the first time that the teams have run on Pirelli rubber as the Italian manufacturer prepares for its return to the sport next season.