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

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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.

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

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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 ~

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Jerez F1 Test 2013: DAY 1 - Jenson Button sets the fastest time of the day

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The morning’s running was compromised by a mechanical fuel-pump issue, which cost a couple of hours’ track-time, but the problem was quickly rectified and the team was able to run productively for the remainder of the afternoon.

Jenson spent the first part of the day’s programme running a lower-lip rake to complete some aero mapping work. The end of the day saw the team evaluate the effects of a series of mechanical set-up changes, using both the Supersoft and Hard Pirelli tyres.

Both the aero mapping and the balance changes fell in line with the team’s pre-test expectations. Jenson set his fastest time of the day on the Hard compound.

Location: Circuito de Jerez, Spain
Driver: Jenson Button
Track length: 4.428km
Laps: 37
Km covered: 164
Best laptime: 1m18.861s

What’s next?

Sergio Perez gets his first opportunity to drive a Vodafone McLaren Mercedes car tomorrow (Wednesday). The knock-on effects of this morning’s fuel-pump issue mean that he will begin his day by continuing today’s initial aero and balance checks.

The aim for tomorrow afternoon is to conduct a series of longer runs – possibly incorporating live pitstops into the mix if the team is satisfied with the day’s initial progress.

DAY 1 Standings
Position / Driver / Constructor / Time / Laps

1 / Jenson Button / Vodafone McLaren Mercedes / 1m 18.861s / 37

2 / Mark Webber / Red Bull Racing / 1m 19.709s / 73

3 / Romain Grosjean / Lotus-Renault / 1m 19.796s / 54

4 / Paul di Resta / Force India / 1m 20.343s / 89

5 / Daniel Ricciardo / Scuderia Toro Rossa / 1m 20.401s / 70

6 / Felipe Massa / Ferrari / 1m 20.536s / 64

7 / Nico Hulkenberg / Sauber / 1m 20.699s / 79

8 / Nico Rosberg / Mercedes AMG / 1m 20.846s / 11

9 / Pastor Maldonado / Williams / 1m 20.864s / 84

10 / Giedo van der Garde / Caterham / 1m 21.915s / 64

11 / Max Chilton / Marussia / 1m 24.176s / 29

~ Official report courtesy of Vodafone McLaren Mercedes ~

Image Source: F1 Fanatic

Copyright © 2013, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.

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Jerez F1 Test 2013: DAY 1 - Nico Rosberg completes first laps with the F1 W04

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Nico Rosberg began the first pre-season test for MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS today, following the launch of the team´s new car and a filming day in Jerez yesterday.

• Nico completed three runs this morning before an electrical problem caused the car to stop on track
• Unburnt fuel in the exhausts subsequently ignited but did not cause any serious damage
• Further investigation identified that the fault originated in a wiring loom
• The necessary modifications are now taking place ready for tomorrow

DAY 1 Statistics

DAY 1 Times

Lewis Hamilton is due to drive on Wednesday for his first day of track testing with the team.

Nico Rosberg: "At the start of winter testing, you often encounter small issues because the car you´re running is a brand new design. We had an electrical problem this morning and, once we had found the root cause, chose to modify the parts to make sure it didn´t happen again. Of course, at this time of year all you want to do is spend time in the car and get a feeling for how it´s working, but these hiccups are just part of the game. During the laps I completed this morning, I had a good feeling with the car and it felt solid."

~ Official photos and report courtesy of MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS ~

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