The first official day of winter testing got underway in Jerez, Spain. The day saw a mix of 2011 spec and 2012 spec cars circulating the track. The typical gremlins and problems did occur however, but the majority of the drivers completed over 80 laps.
The Williams 2012 F1 car, launched today, the Red Bull RB8, Caterham CT-01 and the Toro Rosso STR7 all made their tarmac debuts.
Read the summary here, along with some pictures from todays test.
Kimi Raikkonen topped the time sheets, it has been a long time since we have said that, in the new Lotus E20. The "Ice Man" has certainly lost none of his initial pace after taking a 2 year break from the sport. He managed 73 laps over the full day, 1 and a half race distances, with a best time of 1m19.670.
Just 1 tenth behind was Scottish driver Paul Di Resta in the new Force India VJM05. He narrowly missed out on topping the first session of the year, with a top time of 1m19.772 after 101 laps. Half a second behind Raikkonen, in 3rd place, was Nico Rosberg. The German was running the 2011 spec car as they wait for its reveal at the 2nd test. Rosberg set a best time of 1m.20. 219 after 56 laps. The team were focusing on Pirelli tyres.
The Red Bull RB8 made its track debut after a slow start. The fog near the track delayed the trucks getting into the circuit, meaning his car was not ready to run until well into the session. He did, however, have a productive afternoon and finished with a best time of 1m20.496 after 53 laps. The Toro Rosso team, junior to Red Bull, had Daniel Ricciardo in the STR7. His best time was just 2 tenths off Webber with a 1m20.694. However his session was cut short after an oil pressure problem, leading to the first of 2 red flags.
Michael Schumacher, in the 2011 spec Mercedes, took 6th as he shared driving duties with team mate Rosberg. He completed 41 laps and posted a best time of 1m20.794. Just behind was Kamui Kobayashi in the new Sauber C31. His time of 1m21.353 was the best of 106 laps. He stopped on track briefly, causing the 2nd of the 2 red flags, after running out of fuel. He was however able to continue.
8th was Jenson Button in the Mclaren Mercedes MP4-27, minus the platypus nose. He made a good start, compared to the teams 2011 one, with 62 laps and a best time of 1m21.530. Ferrari, another big team at the back, finished 9th in the hands of Felipe Massa. He circulated the track 69 times and his best lap was a 1m.22.815. Heikki Kovalainen rounded out the top 10 with a 1m.23.178. The team had a difficult first day with just 28 laps completed after the cars starter shaft broke. Maldonado debuted the Williams FW34 with 11th, 3.7 seconds off Raikkonen's time. De La Rosa raced in the 2011 spec HRT and placed last, in 12th with a time of 1m23.676.
Obviously the times can not be read into too much. The first test is often just testing tyre life and getting comfortable in the car, expect a few shake ups and different teams topping the times. It is however certain that the Iceman is back.
Times:
Pos Driver Team Time Laps
1. Kimi Raikkonen Lotus-Renault 1m19.670s 73
2. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 1m19.772s + 0.102 101
3. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1m20.219s + 0.549 56
4. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1m20.496s + 0.826 53
5. Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m20.694s + 1.024 57
6. Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1m20.794s + 1.124 41
7. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1m21.353s + 1.683 106
8. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1m21.530s + 1.860 60
9. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1m22.815s + 3.145 69
10. Heikki Kovalainen Caterham-Renault 1m23.178s + 3.508 28
11. Pastor Maldonado Williams-Renault 1m23.371s + 3.701 25
11. Pedro de la Rosa HRT-Cosworth 1m23.676s + 4.006 44
 |
| (c) Octane Photographic |
Read the summary here, along with some pictures from todays test.
Kimi Raikkonen topped the time sheets, it has been a long time since we have said that, in the new Lotus E20. The "Ice Man" has certainly lost none of his initial pace after taking a 2 year break from the sport. He managed 73 laps over the full day, 1 and a half race distances, with a best time of 1m19.670.
 |
| (c) Octane Photographic |
Michael Schumacher, in the 2011 spec Mercedes, took 6th as he shared driving duties with team mate Rosberg. He completed 41 laps and posted a best time of 1m20.794. Just behind was Kamui Kobayashi in the new Sauber C31. His time of 1m21.353 was the best of 106 laps. He stopped on track briefly, causing the 2nd of the 2 red flags, after running out of fuel. He was however able to continue.
 |
| (c) Octane Photographic |
Obviously the times can not be read into too much. The first test is often just testing tyre life and getting comfortable in the car, expect a few shake ups and different teams topping the times. It is however certain that the Iceman is back.
Times:
Pos Driver Team Time Laps
1. Kimi Raikkonen Lotus-Renault 1m19.670s 73
2. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 1m19.772s + 0.102 101
3. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1m20.219s + 0.549 56
4. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1m20.496s + 0.826 53
5. Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m20.694s + 1.024 57
6. Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1m20.794s + 1.124 41
7. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1m21.353s + 1.683 106
8. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1m21.530s + 1.860 60
9. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1m22.815s + 3.145 69
10. Heikki Kovalainen Caterham-Renault 1m23.178s + 3.508 28
11. Pastor Maldonado Williams-Renault 1m23.371s + 3.701 25
11. Pedro de la Rosa HRT-Cosworth 1m23.676s + 4.006 44
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