25/01/2016
NEWS STORY
Daniel Ricciardo quickest of three drivers as Pirelli conducts wet test at Paul Ricard.
Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull were all in action at Paul Ricard today, as a two day test aimed at allowing Pirelli to try its 2016 wet compounds got underway.
Between them the three drivers completed 385 laps, each instructed to complete stints of 10 laps, running 10s apart, in order to maintain consistent conditions.
Driving 2015 cars to which no updates are allowed, the drivers were subjected to a track on to which three million gallons of recycled rain water is sprayed each day as the Italian manufacturer concentrates on its full wet tyres.
"It was like a normal day of testing," said Kimi Raikkonen, who completed 99 laps, posting a best time 0.924s shy of Ricciardo's best. “I think it's too early to say much about these prototype tyres, but it was a very useful session, because everyone was running under the same conditions.
"It's been a while since we've driven and, even if it was just one day, there's always something you can learn from it." he added.
Tomorrow, Sebastian Vettel takes over the Ferrari and Daniil Kvyat the Red Bull, whilst Stoffel Vandoorne, who was in action for McLaren today, and finished the day second quickest, 0.418s off the pace, continues for the Woking team.
Ironically, at a time sections of the media are making ever wilder claims over power gains found by Honda over the winter, the Belgian - running the 2015 unit - suffered an engine failure towards the end of the session, bringing out the only red flag of the day.
Today's Times - All Times Unofficial
| Name | Team | Laps | Time | Gap |
| Ricciardo | Red Bull | 99 | 1:08.713 | 114.921 mph |
| Vandoorne | McLaren | 87 | 1:09.131 | 0.418 |
| Raikkonen | Ferrari | 99 | 1:09.637 | 0.924 |
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