Final Barcelona F1 Test 2013: DAY 4 - Nico brings the Silver Arrows to top once more

Don't Copy From This Blog...

Nico Rosberg completed the final day of pre-season testing for MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS at the Circuit de Catalunya today. With twelve days of track action completed over three tests, the team will return to base to make the final preparations for the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne in two weeks time.

- Nico’s programme today focused on set-up evaluations over short runs in the morning and longer runs this afternoon

- His fastest time of the day was set during the morning session on the soft compound Pirelli tyres

- Nico completed 131 laps, just under two race distances, which was the highest mileage recorded today

The F1 W04 has completed 5224 km over the three tests, with Nico and Lewis totalling 2640 km & 2584 km respectively.

Nico Rosberg
"I’m pleased with our pre-season testing programme. We have achieved a lot of mileage and I can feel that the balance of the car is good. I have the general feeling that we are in a better position than in the second half of last year but this is testing not racing, of course. The conditions in the first race will be completely different to here as it will be much hotter in Melbourne and Sepang so we need to wait and see. Thanks to the team here at the track and back home at the factory for all their hard work over the last month. I hope it pays off and we can look forward to a positive season ahead together."

Ross Brawn
"With the conclusion of our testing programme, I am pleased with the progress that the team has made over the last month and the steps forward that have been made with the car. We have achieved our objectives for the test programme and the mileage that we have been able to complete has been very satisfying. Lewis has settled into the team extremely well and everyone has enjoyed working with both him and Nico throughout the three tests. We now have one final week back at the factory to complete our preparations; both drivers will be at the factory this week and, as always, there is a lot of work to do in a short space of time. We’re realistic about our performance here and our position once we get to Melbourne, and we look forward to the challenge of a new season ahead."

DAY 4 Times

~ Official photos and report courtesy of MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS ~

Copyright © 2013, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.

Read More

Final Barcelona F1 Test 2013: DAY 4 - Jenson concludes the last pre-season testing session

Don't Copy From This Blog...

A positive end to three weeks of testing in Spain. Jenson concluded the 12 days’ running with a productive 122 laps of the Circuit de Catalunya today.

At the conclusion of the test, sporting director Sam Michael said:

“After completing over 5,000 kilometres, through dry and wet conditions, we have collected plenty of data from MP4-28A. A large part of winter testing is taken up with methodically working through many systems checks and verifying that the correlation between design and track is solid – that’s more important in modern F1 as track testing opportunities are so limited.

“A special thank-you to everybody put so much effort into the testing program. We’re all really looking forward to the first race in Melbourne in two weeks – from the laptimes we’ve seen the season is going to be incredibly close!”

Location: Circuit de Catalunya
Driver: Jenson Button
Track length: 4.655km
Laps: 122
Km covered: 568
Best laptime: 1m 21.444s

What’s next?

We return to MTC, prep, and pack for Melbourne.

DAY 4 Standings

Pos / Driver / Constructor / Time / Laps

1 / Nico Rosberg / Mercedes AMG / 1m 20.130s / 131

2 / Fernando Alonso / Ferrari / 1m 20.494s / 120

3 / Jenson Button / Vodafone McLaren Mercedes / 1m 21.444s / 122

4 / Nico Hulkenberg / Sauber / 1m 21.541s / 118

5 / Kimi Raikkonen / Lotus / 1m 21.658s / 50

6 / Paul di Resta / Force India / 1m 21.664s / 112

7 / Pastor Maldonado / Williams / 1m 22.415s / 42

8 / Sebastian Vettel / Red Bull Racing / 1m 22.514s / 100

9 / Valtteri Bottas / Williams / 1m 22.524s / 31

10 / Charles Pic / Caterham / 1m 23.115s / 116

11 / Jules Bianchi / Marussia / 1m 23.167s / 62

12 / Daniel Ricciardo / Scuderia Toro Rosso / 1m 23.628s / 91

13 / Max Chilton / Marussia / 1m 24.103s / 49

~ Official photo and report courtesy of Vodafone McLaren Mercedes ~

Copyright © 2013, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.

Read More

Final Barcelona F1 Test 2013: DAY 3 - Lewis is once again the fastest man on track

Don't Copy From This Blog...

Lewis Hamilton completed his final day of pre-season testing for MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS in Barcelona today.

- In the morning session, Lewis worked through a series of short runs, using the soft compound Pirelli tyre

- The programme included aerodynamic evaluations alongside different set-up options

- After the break, the focus switched to longer runs for the afternoon session, looking at aerodynamics and tyre wear

- Lewis completed 117 laps today, equivalent to 545 kms, to take his total pre-season mileage in the F1 W04 to 2585 kms

Nico Rosberg will drive for the final day of the test tomorrow to complete the team’s pre-season testing programme.

Lewis Hamilton
"It was great to have a dry track today for my final day of testing, and we were able to get through all the test items that we wanted to achieve by the end of my programme. There’s still a lot of work ahead of us to get to where we want to be but the team is doing a great job. The guys are working so hard at the factory and here at the track; it’s been really nice to get to know everyone in the garage and how they work together over the past few weeks. The reliability, the mileage and the step-by-step improvements that we have achieved during the three tests are all very encouraging. Whilst we’ve been focusing on our own performance, we definitely haven’t seen the full potential of our competitors yet, so it’s difficult to predict where we might be. I’ll be back at the factory next week doing some final preparation work on the simulator and with my engineers, and then it’s off to Melbourne for the first race of the new season with my new team."

DAY 3 Times

~ Official photos and report courtesy of MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS ~

Copyright © 2013, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.

Read More

Final Barcelona F1 Test 2013: DAY 3 - Last drive for Checo ahead of Australian GP

Don't Copy From This Blog...

The penultimate day of pre-season testing – and Checo’s final day in MP4-28 before Melbourne. For the first time this week, weather conditions were stable and favourable: it was bright and sunny all day, which allowed the team to focus on a full day of running.

The morning was devoted to evaluating a number of different mechanical set-ups. The team then committed to a series of system changes over the lunchbreak before kicking off with a long run in the afternoon. Some live pitstop practice was also included – allowing Checo to get a feel for racing with the team in Australia later this month.

Location: Circuit de Catalunya
Driver: Sergio Perez
Track length: 4.655km
Laps: 101
Km covered: 470
Best laptime: 1m 22.694s
Test dates: Four days (February 28- March 3)

What’s next?

The final day: Jenson resumes running duties, and will wrap up our pre-season evaluation ofMP4-28 with more aero and mechanical set-up work.

DAY 2 Standings

Pos / Driver / Constructor / Time / Laps

1 / Lewis Hamilton / Mercedes AMG / 1m 20.558s / 117

2 / Felipe Massa / Ferrari / 1m 21.266s / 94

3 / Adrian Sutil / Force India / 1m 21.627s / 109

4 / Pastor Maldonado / Williams / 1m 22.305s / 34

5 / Valtteri Bottas / Williams / 1m 22.468s / 31

6 / Esteban Gutierrez / Sauber / 1m 22.553s / 99

7 / Mark Webber / Red Bull Racing / 1m 22.658s / 59

8 / Sergio Perez / Vodafone McLaren Mercedes / 1m 22.694s / 101

9 / Jean-Eric Vergne / Scuderia Toro Rosso / 1m 23.223s / 114

10 / Romain Grosjean / Lotus / 1m 23.380s / 46

11 / Davide Valsecchi / Lotus / 1m 23.448s / 16

12 / Jules Bianchi / Marussia / 1m 24.028s / 74

13 / Giedo van der Garde / Caterham / 1m 24.235s / 126

~ Official photo and report courtesy of Vodafone McLaren Mercedes ~

Copyright © 2013, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.

Read More

Final F1 Test at Barcelona: DAY 1+2 - Jenson and Checo continue the development of the MP4-28

Don't Copy From This Blog...

DAY 1 Report

Overnight heavy rain and constant drizzle throughout the morning meant it was a slow start to the final pre-season test of 2013. Today was Sergio Perez’s penultimate day in the MP4-28 before Melbourne, and the wet weather prompted the team to undertake a more conservative run programme.

Checo conducted some aero mapping in the morning before the team chose to focus on developing a stable set-up on the Intermediate tyre and putting some solid mileage on our 2013 package. With 100 laps under his belt, it was a positive first day.

Location: Circuit de Catalunya
Driver: Sergio Perez
Track length: 4.655km
Laps: 100
Km covered: 466
Best laptime: 1m 26.538s
Test dates: Four days (February 28 - March 3)

What’s next?

With more wet weather predicted for tomorrow, Jenson’s programme is expected to be a continuation of today’s. Drier conditions are forecast for Saturday and Sunday – a benefit to the team as it brings together all the elements that constitute the aerodynamic package that it runs in Australia next month.

DAY 1 Standings

Pos / Driver / Constructor / Time / Laps

1 / Mark Webber / Red Bull Racing / 1m 22.693s / 90

2 / Lewis Hamilton / Mercedes AMG / 1m 24.348s / 113

3 / Jean-Eric Vergne / Scuderia Toro Rosso / 1m 25.017s / 59

4 / Valtteri Bottas / Williams / 1m 26.458s / 85

5 / Sergio Perez / Vodafone McLaren Mercedes / 1m 26.538s / 100

6 / Esteban Gutierrez / Sauber / 1m 26.574s / 92

7 / Paul di Resta / Force India / 1m 27.107s / 57

8 / Felipe Massa / Ferrari / 1m 27.541s / 112

9 / Max Chilton / Marussia / 1m 28.166s / 78

10 / Charles Pic / Caterham / 1m 28.644s / 83

11 / Romain Grosjean / Lotus / 1m 34.928s / 52

DAY 2 Report

The anticipated heavy showers largely held off and the majority of the day’s running was conducted on a dry track. A still-damp morning meant Jenson’s early running was limited to aero mapping and a couple of mechanical evaluations.

As the circuit dried out, Jenson switched to Pirelli’s Medium compound and ran through a number of different mechanical set-up iterations to find a good balance for MP4-28. The programme was efficient and productive, with Jenson going quicker on each subsequent run.

By mid-afternoon, the team was able to evaluate a number of upgrades over a series of longer runs. While these were interrupted by a late-afternoon red-flag stoppage, Jenson was still able to log some considerable mileage and even incorporate a series of live pitstop simulations into the mix.

Location: Circuit de Catalunya
Driver: Jenson Button
Track length: 4.655km
Laps: 72
Km covered: 335
Best laptime: 1m 23.181s
Test dates: Four days (February 28- March 3)

What’s next?

Saturday is Checo’s final day in the car before Melbourne. With clearer weather forecast, the aim will be to quickly run through further mechanical and aerodynamic evaluations before continuing more set-up work.

DAY 2 Standings

Pos / Driver / Constructor / Time / Laps

1 / Romain Grosjean / Lotus / 1m 22.716s / 88

2 / Jenson Button / Vodafone McLaren Mercedes / 1m 23.181s / 72

3 / Pastor Maldonado / Williams / 1m 23.628s / 75

4 / Sebastian Vettel / Red Bull Racing / 1m 23.743s / 65

5 / Nico Hulkenberg / Sauber / 1m 23.744s / 79

6 / Adrian Sutil / Force India / 1m 24.215s / 62

7 / Daniel Ricciardo / Scuderia Toro Rosso / 1m 25.483s / 61

8 / Max Chilton / Marussia / 1m 25.598s / 75

9 / Giedo van der Garde / Caterham / 1m 26.316s / 48

10 / Nico Rosberg / Mercedes AMG / 1m 26.655s / 120

11 / Fernando Alonso / Ferrari / 1m 27.878s / 102

~ Official photos and reports courtesy of Vodafone McLaren Mercedes ~

Copyright © 2013, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.

Read More

Final F1 Test at Barcelona: DAY 1+2 - Lewis and Nico face the downpour

Don't Copy From This Blog...

DAY 1 Report

Lewis Hamilton completed 113 laps today during testing at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona, with conditions varying from heavy rain showers to a dry circuit for the late afternoon.

- Lewis completed a total of 526 km over the course of the day, the highest of any driver

- The morning programme focused on tyre evaluations in the wet conditions, mainly on intermediate tyres

- Lewis also completed race weekend procedure practice when useful running was not possible

- This afternoon, Lewis completed a wet to dry race simulation on intermediate and then medium compound tyres

- Lewis has now completed 2040 km over five days of winter testing, equivalent to nearly seven Grand Prix distances

Nico Rosberg will drive for the second day of the test tomorrow.

Lewis Hamilton
"The track started out really wet this morning but thankfully the conditions dried out later on and we were able to complete some proper running. It felt good to work through the race simulation this afternoon; both to get myself back in practice and to put valuable miles on the car. All the guys have done a fantastic job both here and at the factory. I’m really happy that we’re making progress together and very much enjoying working with everyone. The last couple of days of pre-season testing are always really exciting when everyone starts to add their upgrades so I’m looking forward to the weekend."

DAY 1 Times

DAY 2 Report

For the second consecutive day, MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS topped the mileage charts at pre-season testing with Nico Rosberg completing a total of 120 laps at the Circuit de Catalunya.

- Whilst the track was wet this morning, Nico focused on evaluating new parts and set-up on the wet and intermediate tyres

- Nico completed a single run on medium compound tyres before lunch

- This afternoon, Nico completed a race simulation on dry tyres, although the latter stages were disrupted by red flags

- Nico did not complete any shorter runs when the track was dry in the afternoon

- Nico completed 559 km today, taking his pre-season mileage to 2030 km (compared to 2040 km for Lewis)

Lewis will be in the car tomorrow for his final day of pre-season testing.

Nico Rosberg
"It was great to run in the wet today which I have not done so far during our pre-season testing programme. The car felt good in those conditions and it’s important to have had this experience as there is always the chance of rain in Melbourne. This afternoon, we did some race simulation work which was very productive. I am happy with my mileage today as every single lap is important for the learning process, and so overall it was a positive day for me here in Montmelo."

DAY 2 Times

~ Official photos and reports courtesy of MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS ~

Copyright © 2013, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.

Read More