Frenchman Jean-Eric Vergne, second in the Formula Renault 3.5 series this year, planted the Renault-powered Red Bull RB7 on top of the timing sheets today Tuesday, the first day of the young drivers test session at Abu Dhabi.
The test is reserved to any driver who has not competed in more than two Grands Prix.
Most teams concentrated on acquiring aerodynamic measurement data, trying various components that might be useful for next year’s cars, and began to carry out a very comprehensive evaluation of the tires Pirelli plans to use for next year.
Vergne, a Red Bull protégé who drove a Toro Rosso during Friday's free practice sessions late in the season set a fast time of 1m40.011 late in the day.
Second was another Frenchman, Jules Bianchi in a Ferrari who focused on aerodynamic testing today, as he will run for all three days like fellow countryman Vergne.
Formula Renault 3.5 series' champion, Canadian Robert Wickens ranked third in the Lotus Renault -- his prize for having won the title.
Swiss driver Fabio Leimer was fourth in the Ferrari-powered Sauber.
Britons Gary Paffett and Oliver Turney shared the driving duties at McLaren. Paffett, who currently competes in the DTM series ended up fifth.
Young Max Chilton, driving for Force India after previous straightline experience, jumped to sixth place with his best time in the final minute of the day to beat Valtteri Bottas in the Williams-Cosworth by just one tenth of a second.
The Williams was hampered by serious gearbox problem that required a change of unit. The Williams was also fitted with 2012-style top-exit exhausts.
McLaren's morning driver Olivier Turvey and Mercedes tester Sam Bird ranked 8th and 9th respectively.
Day 1 of young drivers tests at Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi*:
1. Jean-Eric Vergne Red Bull-Renault 1m40.011s 83 laps
2. Jules Bianchi Ferrari 1m40.960s 85
3. Robert Wickens Lotus Renault 1m42.217s 78
4. Fabio Leimer Sauber-Ferrari 1m42.331s 67
5. Gary Paffett McLaren-Mercedes 1m42.912s 41
6. Max Chilton Force India-Mercedes 1m43.016s 81
7. Valtteri Bottas Williams-Cosworth 1m43.118s 71
8. Oliver Turvey McLaren-Mercedes 1m43.502s 35
9. Sam Bird Mercedes GP 1m43.548s 51
10. Rodolfo Gonzalez Lotus-Renault 1m44.022s 87
11. Stefano Coletti Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m45.278s 87
12. Dani Clos HRT-Cosworth 1m45.329s 68
13. Charles Pic Marussia Virgin-Cosworth 1m46.930s 30
14. Adrian Quaife-Hobbs Virgin-Cosworth 1m47.292s 32
*Unofficial timing
The test is reserved to any driver who has not competed in more than two Grands Prix.
 |
| Jean-Eric Vergne, Red Bull. (Photo: WRi2) |
Most teams concentrated on acquiring aerodynamic measurement data, trying various components that might be useful for next year’s cars, and began to carry out a very comprehensive evaluation of the tires Pirelli plans to use for next year.
Vergne, a Red Bull protégé who drove a Toro Rosso during Friday's free practice sessions late in the season set a fast time of 1m40.011 late in the day.
 |
| Jules Bianchi, Ferrari. (Photo: WRi2) |
Second was another Frenchman, Jules Bianchi in a Ferrari who focused on aerodynamic testing today, as he will run for all three days like fellow countryman Vergne.
Formula Renault 3.5 series' champion, Canadian Robert Wickens ranked third in the Lotus Renault -- his prize for having won the title.
 |
| Robert Wickens, Lotus Renault. (Photo: WRi2) |
Swiss driver Fabio Leimer was fourth in the Ferrari-powered Sauber.
Britons Gary Paffett and Oliver Turney shared the driving duties at McLaren. Paffett, who currently competes in the DTM series ended up fifth.
 |
| Fabio Leimer, Sauber. (Photo: WRi2) |
Young Max Chilton, driving for Force India after previous straightline experience, jumped to sixth place with his best time in the final minute of the day to beat Valtteri Bottas in the Williams-Cosworth by just one tenth of a second.
The Williams was hampered by serious gearbox problem that required a change of unit. The Williams was also fitted with 2012-style top-exit exhausts.
 |
| Valtteri Bottas, Williams. (Photo: WRi2) |
McLaren's morning driver Olivier Turvey and Mercedes tester Sam Bird ranked 8th and 9th respectively.
Day 1 of young drivers tests at Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi*:
1. Jean-Eric Vergne Red Bull-Renault 1m40.011s 83 laps
2. Jules Bianchi Ferrari 1m40.960s 85
3. Robert Wickens Lotus Renault 1m42.217s 78
4. Fabio Leimer Sauber-Ferrari 1m42.331s 67
5. Gary Paffett McLaren-Mercedes 1m42.912s 41
6. Max Chilton Force India-Mercedes 1m43.016s 81
7. Valtteri Bottas Williams-Cosworth 1m43.118s 71
8. Oliver Turvey McLaren-Mercedes 1m43.502s 35
9. Sam Bird Mercedes GP 1m43.548s 51
10. Rodolfo Gonzalez Lotus-Renault 1m44.022s 87
11. Stefano Coletti Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m45.278s 87
12. Dani Clos HRT-Cosworth 1m45.329s 68
13. Charles Pic Marussia Virgin-Cosworth 1m46.930s 30
14. Adrian Quaife-Hobbs Virgin-Cosworth 1m47.292s 32
*Unofficial timing