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Formula 1
F1: Mercedes On Top Again In 2011 Car
Driving the team's 2011 car, Nico Rosberg kept Mercedes atop the time sheet for a second straight day in Jerez...
Mercedes was consistently strong in winter testing. (Photo: Getty Images)
Testing continued for a third day at Jerez Thursday as most teams changed their drivers, and three World Champions joined the action.
Sebastian Vettel, Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton enjoyed their first experience with the 2012 Red Bull, Ferrari and McLaren, respectively.
In addition, Romain Grosjean took over the Lotus from Kimi Raikkonen, Jean-Eric Vergne replaced Daniel Ricciardo at Toro Rosso, and Bruno Senna stepped into the Williams vacated by Pastor Maldonado. It was Senna’s first appearance on track for his new team.
Nico Rosberg was back in the 2011 Mercedes, putting the team first on the time sheet for the second straight day, but it was Grosjean who was fastest of those in 2012 machinery.
"I am one of the happiest guys in the world right now," said Grosjean, who returns to the former Renault team after competing in GP2 for one season. "For sure there's margin for improvement in the tests ahead, but it's a great start to the year."
Grosjean set a best time of 1m 18.419s in the E20 that trailed only Rosberg's lap of 1:17.613.
“It seems that the tires are closer performance-wise this year, with the rear tires also looking a bit stronger,” said Rosberg. “Pirelli have done a good job so far. You can’t really compare the lap times with other teams, but it was interesting to learn a lot with our 2011 car. Now I’m really looking forward to the two Barcelona tests with our new Silver Arrow.”
Reigning World Champion Vettel drove 96 laps in the RB8 with a best lap of 1:19.297 that was third quickest out of 10 drivers.
“It’s been two months since we were in the car, so it does take a couple of laps to get back in the rhythm, but the car feels fine and as we expected,” said the German. “There’s quite a loss of grip due to the regulation changes, but you get used to it quickly and then start to explore how the new car feels. So far we can be happy, we had a couple of issues, but it’s normal when the car is new.”
Following Vettel in the top five were Hamilton and Vergne.
Nico Hulkenberg, who was expected to take over the Force India in the afternoon, was unable to get on track after reserve driver Jules Bianchi crashed the car at the very start of the morning session.
Dutchman Giedo van de Garde took over the Caterham from Heikki Kovalainen, prior to handing the car to Jarno Trulli on Friday.
Absent Thursday was the HRT team, which has only planned to do two days of running with Pedro de la Rosa and last year’s car.
Unofficial Thursday test times from Jerez
1. Nico Rosberg, Mercedes*, 1:17.613, 118 Laps
2. Romain Grosjean, Lotus, 1:18.419, 117 Laps
3. Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull, 1:19.297, 96 Laps
4. Lewis Hamilton, McLaren, 1:19.464, 80 Laps
5. Jean-Eric Vergne, Toro Rosso, 1:19.734, 79 Laps
6. Sergio Perez, Sauber, 1:19.770, 48 Laps
7. Fernando Alonso, Ferrari, 1:20.412, 67 Laps
8. Bruno Senna, Williams, 1:21.293, 125 Laps
9. Giedo van der Garde, Caterham, 1:23.324, 74 Laps
10. Jules Bianchi, Force India, no time, 2 Laps
* 2011 car
Sebastian Vettel, Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton enjoyed their first experience with the 2012 Red Bull, Ferrari and McLaren, respectively.
In addition, Romain Grosjean took over the Lotus from Kimi Raikkonen, Jean-Eric Vergne replaced Daniel Ricciardo at Toro Rosso, and Bruno Senna stepped into the Williams vacated by Pastor Maldonado. It was Senna’s first appearance on track for his new team.
Nico Rosberg was back in the 2011 Mercedes, putting the team first on the time sheet for the second straight day, but it was Grosjean who was fastest of those in 2012 machinery.
"I am one of the happiest guys in the world right now," said Grosjean, who returns to the former Renault team after competing in GP2 for one season. "For sure there's margin for improvement in the tests ahead, but it's a great start to the year."
Grosjean set a best time of 1m 18.419s in the E20 that trailed only Rosberg's lap of 1:17.613.
“It seems that the tires are closer performance-wise this year, with the rear tires also looking a bit stronger,” said Rosberg. “Pirelli have done a good job so far. You can’t really compare the lap times with other teams, but it was interesting to learn a lot with our 2011 car. Now I’m really looking forward to the two Barcelona tests with our new Silver Arrow.”
Reigning World Champion Vettel drove 96 laps in the RB8 with a best lap of 1:19.297 that was third quickest out of 10 drivers.
“It’s been two months since we were in the car, so it does take a couple of laps to get back in the rhythm, but the car feels fine and as we expected,” said the German. “There’s quite a loss of grip due to the regulation changes, but you get used to it quickly and then start to explore how the new car feels. So far we can be happy, we had a couple of issues, but it’s normal when the car is new.”
Following Vettel in the top five were Hamilton and Vergne.
Nico Hulkenberg, who was expected to take over the Force India in the afternoon, was unable to get on track after reserve driver Jules Bianchi crashed the car at the very start of the morning session.
Dutchman Giedo van de Garde took over the Caterham from Heikki Kovalainen, prior to handing the car to Jarno Trulli on Friday.
Absent Thursday was the HRT team, which has only planned to do two days of running with Pedro de la Rosa and last year’s car.
Unofficial Thursday test times from Jerez
1. Nico Rosberg, Mercedes*, 1:17.613, 118 Laps
2. Romain Grosjean, Lotus, 1:18.419, 117 Laps
3. Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull, 1:19.297, 96 Laps
4. Lewis Hamilton, McLaren, 1:19.464, 80 Laps
5. Jean-Eric Vergne, Toro Rosso, 1:19.734, 79 Laps
6. Sergio Perez, Sauber, 1:19.770, 48 Laps
7. Fernando Alonso, Ferrari, 1:20.412, 67 Laps
8. Bruno Senna, Williams, 1:21.293, 125 Laps
9. Giedo van der Garde, Caterham, 1:23.324, 74 Laps
10. Jules Bianchi, Force India, no time, 2 Laps
* 2011 car
Grand Prix of Bahrain
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