F1: Da Costa puts Red Bull on top of the timing charts in Abu Dhabi

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For the second day of Formula 1’s young driver test in Abu Dhabi, Red Bull Junior driver António Félix da Costa was back in the cockpit of the Red Bull-Renault RB8, and today he set the fastest lap.

Da Costa clocked a time of 1m42.679. His day was again 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.

Antonio Felix Da Costa, Red Bull RB8. (Photo: WRi2)

Briton Oliver Turvey spent the morning session driving the McLaren-Mercedes, and he set the second fastest time of the day. Gary Paffett, the team's reserve driver, took over the driving duties in the afternoon and set the fifth time.

Audi DTM driver Edoardo Mortara drove the Lotus-Renault, and emerged third quickest. Mortara worked on aerodynamic programming and DDRS testing in the morning, and then focused on set-up adjustments and balance change.

Edoardo Mortara, Lotus. (Photo: WRi2)

In fourth place was Mexican Esteban Gutierrez in the Sauber-Ferrari. His focus was on aero work with a set up change over the lunch break. Later in the afternoon, Gutierrez ran on a set of medium and a set of soft Pirelli tires.

Esteban Guetierrez, Sauber C31. (Photo: Sauber F1 Team)

Venezuelan Johnny Cecotto Jr. was behind the wheel of the Toro Rosso STR7 and he completed a total of 76 laps, setting the sixth fastest time.

Johnny Cecotto Jr, Toro Rosso. (Photo: WRi2)

Seventh and last was Giedo van der Garde in the Caterham-Renault.

Young driver test, Yas Marina circuit, Abu Dhabi, Day2:
Pos   Driver  Constructor  Time*   Laps
1. Antonio Felix da Costa  Red Bull-Renault   1m42.679s 61
2. Oliver Turvey  McLaren-Mercedes   1m43.176s  + 0.497 62
3. Edoardo Mortara  Lotus-Renault  1m43.418s  + 0.739 75
4. Esteban Gutierrez   Sauber-Ferrari   1m43.486s  + 0.806 93
5. Gary Paffett  McLaren-Mercedes   1m43.771s   + 1.092 41
6. Johnny Cecotto Jr   Toro Rosso-Ferrari  1m44.569s   + 1.890 76
7. Giedo Van der Garde  Caterham-Renault   1m46.106s  + 2.427 72
*Unofficial timing