F1: Da Costa Leads Way In Abu Dhabi Test

Formula 1

F1: Da Costa Leads Way In Abu Dhabi Test

Antonio Felix da Costa paced day two of the Abu Dhabi Young Driver test in a Red Bull...

Adam Cooper | http://www.speedtv.com | Posted November 07, 2012 Abu Dhabi (ARE)

Red Bull driver Antonio Felix da Costa showed the way in day two of testing in Abu Dhabi. (Photo: Getty Images)

Antonio Felix da Costa was fastest for Red Bull on the second day of the Abu Dhabi Young Driver test on Wednesday.

The team said that the Portuguese youngster’s workload was “split into sessions of aero and mechanical work, with the morning given over to aero mapping and the afternoon to tire work as well the testing of some car components” as it continued to prepare for the last two races as well as give its protégé some mileage.

“It’s been another good day,” Costa said. “Again, we did a lot of mileage, which is good for me and for the team. On a day like this, when the conditions are perfect for testing, and with two Grands Prix to go, I think the team needs to make the most of it, and today I think we did that.

“It’s been a great experience, and I’d like to thank the whole team for their help, and I hope I have been able to help them as well,” he added. “I’ll focus now on the future, and I think most sensibly that probably means a full season in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series next year.”

Oliver Turvey was second fastest for McLaren as the team again split the workload between two drivers, Turvey sharing the car with Gary Paffett.

Third spot went to the highly-rated Mercedes DTM driver and Macau F3 winner Edoardo Mortara, who made his F1 test debut for Lotus.

“I enjoyed every lap,” said the French/Italian driver. “At the same time, it was pretty tough; I’ve come from a car which is a lot slower, and the first laps were certainly an eye opener. I improved gradually over the day and I think my progression was pretty good.

“Every time I was on track I got a little bit better. I completed the test program scheduled by the team, so it’s satisfying to be able to contribute to their season. It’s been one of the best days of my life.”
Esteban Gutierrez got some decent mileage for Sauber, strengthening his claim for a 2013 race seat alongside Nico Hulkenberg.

Johnny Cecotto Jr., who tested for Force India last year, had a run for Scuderia Toro Rosso, while also in action again was Giedo van der Garde at Caterham.

Dutchman Robin Frijns, who drove for Sauber Tuesday, will handle the Red Bull on the final day Thursday, while among those also in action will be David Valsecchi at Lotus and Luis Razia at Toro Rosso.

Unofficial Wednesday test times from Yas Marina:
1. Antonio Felix da Costa, Red Bull, 1m 42.679s, 62 Laps
2. Oliver Turvey, McLaren, 1m 43.176s, 62 Laps
3. Edoardo Mortara, Lotus, 1m 43.418s, 75 Laps
4. Esteban Gutierrez, Sauber, 1m 43.485s, 94 Laps
5. Gary Paffett, McLaren, 1m 43.771s, 41 Laps
6. Johnny Cecotto Jr, Toro Rosso, 1m 44.569s, 76 Laps
7. Giedo van der Garde, Caterham, 1m 45.106s, 72 Laps

Adam Cooper notched up his 27th season as a racing journalist in 2011. He has written about F1 for SPEED.com since 2005. Follow him on Twitter.