Former Formula 1 World Champion Kimi Raikkonen, driving for the Lotus F1 Team today set the fastest time of the initial day of the first Formula 1 winter test session at Jerez, Spain.
Driving the Renault-powered Lotus E20, Raikkonen was quick from the word go and set the fastest time early in the day despite the relatively cool temperatures and poor grip levels. The Finn who spent the last two seasons competing in the World Rally Championship showed that he had not lost any speed on a road circuit.
Paul di Resta was second in the Sahara Force India-Mercedes. “We ran on the new 2012-spec hard and medium Pirelli tire compounds throughout, which will help give us some consistency when analysing the data tonight,” said Andrew Green, Technical Director.
Nico Rosberg was third quickest in last year's Mercedes AMG W02. The German completed a set-up programme which focused on learning about the behaviour of the 2012 Pirelli tires.
Mark Webber steered Red Bull Racing’s 2012 challenger, the RB8, out on track for the first time today and despite a slightly delayed start ended the day as the fourth-quickest man.
“We probably only lost an hour or so of proper running. When Mark did get going, it was pretty smooth and we didn’t see anything unexpected. We have done a lot of simulation work and today pretty much confirmed what we are getting from that,” said Red Bull Racing's Head of Race Engineering Ian Morgan.
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| Kimi Raikkonen, Lotus (Photo: WRI2) |
Driving the Renault-powered Lotus E20, Raikkonen was quick from the word go and set the fastest time early in the day despite the relatively cool temperatures and poor grip levels. The Finn who spent the last two seasons competing in the World Rally Championship showed that he had not lost any speed on a road circuit.
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| Paul di Resta, Sahara Force India (Photo: Force India) |
Paul di Resta was second in the Sahara Force India-Mercedes. “We ran on the new 2012-spec hard and medium Pirelli tire compounds throughout, which will help give us some consistency when analysing the data tonight,” said Andrew Green, Technical Director.
Nico Rosberg was third quickest in last year's Mercedes AMG W02. The German completed a set-up programme which focused on learning about the behaviour of the 2012 Pirelli tires.
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| Mark Webber, Red Bull Racing (Photo: Red Bull) |
Mark Webber steered Red Bull Racing’s 2012 challenger, the RB8, out on track for the first time today and despite a slightly delayed start ended the day as the fourth-quickest man.
“We probably only lost an hour or so of proper running. When Mark did get going, it was pretty smooth and we didn’t see anything unexpected. We have done a lot of simulation work and today pretty much confirmed what we are getting from that,” said Red Bull Racing's Head of Race Engineering Ian Morgan.
