Reigning World Champion, German Sebastian Vettel put the Renault-powered Red Bull RB8 on top of the first day of preseason Formula 1 testing at Barcelona, Spain.
Vettel set the best time of the day shortly before lunch, taking the top spot from his fellow countryman Nico Hulkenberg in the Sahara Force India VJM05.
After the opening test of the season at Jerez, 11 of the 12 teams are now working at the Catalunya Circuit on the outskirts of Barcelona, with another four day session, running through to Friday.
This circuit is very well known to everyone and therefore provides a good baseline and reference point for assessing data. Several teams selected for longer runs in race trim.
Lewis Hamilton was third in the Mercedes-powered McLaren. He also performed several long runs to asses the new Pirelli tires in race condition.
Australian Daniel Ricciardo was at the wheel of the Toro Rosso STR7, and the team worked on evaluating several set-up configurations with various fuel loads. The day was cut short with a technical problem that stopped the car out on track and with only one hour of the day remaining.
Fifth was Fernando Alonso in the Ferrari F2012. The Spaniard continued with the tasks of development and data acquisition relating to the behaviour of the new car.
Vettel set the best time of the day shortly before lunch, taking the top spot from his fellow countryman Nico Hulkenberg in the Sahara Force India VJM05.
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| Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull (Photo: WRI2) |
After the opening test of the season at Jerez, 11 of the 12 teams are now working at the Catalunya Circuit on the outskirts of Barcelona, with another four day session, running through to Friday.
This circuit is very well known to everyone and therefore provides a good baseline and reference point for assessing data. Several teams selected for longer runs in race trim.
 |
| Nico Hulkenberg, Sahara Force India (Photo: WRI2) |
Lewis Hamilton was third in the Mercedes-powered McLaren. He also performed several long runs to asses the new Pirelli tires in race condition.
Australian Daniel Ricciardo was at the wheel of the Toro Rosso STR7, and the team worked on evaluating several set-up configurations with various fuel loads. The day was cut short with a technical problem that stopped the car out on track and with only one hour of the day remaining.
Fifth was Fernando Alonso in the Ferrari F2012. The Spaniard continued with the tasks of development and data acquisition relating to the behaviour of the new car.
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| Fernando Alonso, Ferrari (Photo: WRI2) |