Max happy after 144 laps: "I"m driving the car confidently"
Published on 01 March 2016 by Stefan Meens
Nico Rosberg set the quickest time during the first day of the second pre-season test in Barcelona. The German’s fastest time (1:23.022) was not matched by anyone, including Lewis Hamilton who took over driving duties from his team mate in the afternoon. Valtteri Bottas closed the gap to the frontrunner by setting a fast lap on the ultra-soft Pirelli tyre. Fernando Alonso (McLaren) completed the top three.
Max Verstappen focussed mainly on long runs. The Dutchman completed 144 laps, more than any other driver. His best lap of the day (1:25.176) granted the youngster P7. “It was productive day I’m very pleased about. Everything works the way it should and we were able to do more than planned, which is always a bonus”, says Max to Verstappen.nl. “It’s too early to say where we are. We’re still testing all parts on the car and the main focus remains as much track time as possible.”
Max continues: “We’re not aiming for fast laps yet. We’re trying to get as much data as possible to understand every detail of the car. That’s why we’re trying different set-ups and driving as many laps as possible. But so far it’s going well. He team have done a great job and we’ve definitely improved. I’m driving the car confidently, which is always important.”
At 2pm it appears most teams are enjoying a late lunch with no one heading out on track at the start of the afternoon session. Eventually it is Valtteri Bottas in the Williams who breaks the silence, followed by Rio Haryanto. The Manor driver is finally able to get a timed lap on the board after only managing an installation lap in the morning.
Mercedes get off to an unorthodox start for their standards. Lewis Hamilton’s car stops halfway down the pit lane just as the world champion has exited his garage. Despite this minor hiccup, the German outfit is able repair the Silver Arrow sending Hamilton on his way for a productive session. In the end, the Britton completes 90 laps.
For the newest edition to the paddock, Haas F1, the problems in the afternoon session are much bigger. An issue with the fuel system denies the team doing any further running today.
Meanwhile, Max enjoyed a productive day with plenty of long runs and 144 laps completed. Most of his running was done on the Medium Pirellis. In the closing stages of the session, Max heads out on the soft compound, for the first time this test, which helps him to improve his lap time.
Right at the end of the session, Kevin Magnussen causes the last red flag of the day. His Renault strands at turn 3. Only Bottas and Force India’s Nico Hulkenberg head out for one final lap after the track is cleared, marking the end of busy day at the Circuit de Catalunya.
Pre-season test II, day 1 - Circuit de Catalunya - Tuesday 1 March 2016
1. Rosberg Mercedes 1:23.022 82 2. Bottas Willliams 1:23.229 +0.207 123 3. Alonso McLaren 1:24.735 +1.713 93 4. Raikkonen Ferrari 1:24.836 +1.814 72 5. Kvyat Red Bull Racing 1:25.049 +2.027 69 6. Hamilton Mercedes 1:25.051 +2.029 90 7. Verstappen Toro Rosso 1:25.176 +2.154 144 8. Hülkenberg Force India 1:25.336 +2.314 121 9. Nasr Sauber 1:25.493 +2.471 103 10. Magnussen Renault 1:25.760 +2.738 119 11. Gutierrez Haas F1 1:26.661 +3.639 23 12. Haryanto Manor F1 1:27.625 +4.603 45
