Young Guns testing at Jerez - Day 1
Discussion
Andy Soucek set the pace on the first day of Formula 1 young driver testing at Jerez, despite an afternoon spin that brought out the red flags.
The 24-year-old Spaniard, who was testing for Williams as his prize for winning this year's Formula 2 championship, shot to the top of the timesheets during the first hour of running, and was never outside the top four thereafter.
His pace-setting lap of 1m19.158s came with an hour of running to go, and was after a spin and stall at the Michelin hairpin brought out the red flags.
Britain's Paul di Resta was an impressive second quickest, despite Force India having only run him in the afternoon, after JR Hildebrand drove the car during the morning.
The DTM front-runner's best lap, which came in the final 10 minutes of the session, was 0.211s slower than Soucek's and demoted Gary Paffett's McLaren to third.
The morning running was interrupted by an early red flag. Brendon Hartley spun his Toro Rosso between the chicane and Ferrari curve and clouted the barrier, knocking off the right-front wheel and nose of his car.
Daniel Ricciardo, who was following closely, spun in avoidance and ended up getting his Red Bull beached in the gravel.
Ricciardo recovered to set the fourth fastest time, ahead of Ferrari's Jules Bianchi and Brawn's Mike Conway.
The BMW Sauber team tested Alexander Rossi as a prize for his success in the Formula BMW championship. Rossi was seventh quickest.
"I very much enjoyed this day," said Rossi. "It is impressive what the car does, how predictable and precise its reactions are, and how high the overall grip level is. But I have to admit I am also a little bit disappointed because being a racing driver you always want to be the fastest!
"I think in the afternoon we didn't manage to find the perfect balance. Physically I have to say it was as demanding as I expected it would be. The power steering is a great help compared to GP2, but the g forces obviously are higher."
Briton Oliver Turvey, who was testing as his prize for winning the 2006 McLaren AUTOSPORT BRDC Award, was given 90 minutes of running at the end of the day by McLaren.
He completed only 27 laps - less than anyone else - but improved his times more than anybody else in the final half hour. His best lap was 1.698s off the pace.
1. Soucek Williams 1m19.158s 87
2. Di Resta Force India 1m19.369s + 0.221s 46
3. Paffett McLaren 1m19.426s + 0.268s 54
4. Ricciardo Red Bull 1m19.534s + 0.376s 112
5. Bianchi Ferrari 1m19.626s + 0.486s 90
6. Conway Brawn 1m19.920s + 0.762s 58
7. Rossi Sauber 1m20.227s + 1.069s 82
8. Ericsson Brawn 1m20.333s + 1.175s 49
9. Baguette Renault 1m20.511s + 1.363s 105
10. Hildebrand Force India 1m20.537s + 1.379s 49
11. Turvey McLaren 1m20.856s + 1.698s 27
11. Hartley Toro Rosso 1m21.325s + 2.167s 69
The 24-year-old Spaniard, who was testing for Williams as his prize for winning this year's Formula 2 championship, shot to the top of the timesheets during the first hour of running, and was never outside the top four thereafter.
His pace-setting lap of 1m19.158s came with an hour of running to go, and was after a spin and stall at the Michelin hairpin brought out the red flags.
Britain's Paul di Resta was an impressive second quickest, despite Force India having only run him in the afternoon, after JR Hildebrand drove the car during the morning.
The DTM front-runner's best lap, which came in the final 10 minutes of the session, was 0.211s slower than Soucek's and demoted Gary Paffett's McLaren to third.
The morning running was interrupted by an early red flag. Brendon Hartley spun his Toro Rosso between the chicane and Ferrari curve and clouted the barrier, knocking off the right-front wheel and nose of his car.
Daniel Ricciardo, who was following closely, spun in avoidance and ended up getting his Red Bull beached in the gravel.
Ricciardo recovered to set the fourth fastest time, ahead of Ferrari's Jules Bianchi and Brawn's Mike Conway.
The BMW Sauber team tested Alexander Rossi as a prize for his success in the Formula BMW championship. Rossi was seventh quickest.
"I very much enjoyed this day," said Rossi. "It is impressive what the car does, how predictable and precise its reactions are, and how high the overall grip level is. But I have to admit I am also a little bit disappointed because being a racing driver you always want to be the fastest!
"I think in the afternoon we didn't manage to find the perfect balance. Physically I have to say it was as demanding as I expected it would be. The power steering is a great help compared to GP2, but the g forces obviously are higher."
Briton Oliver Turvey, who was testing as his prize for winning the 2006 McLaren AUTOSPORT BRDC Award, was given 90 minutes of running at the end of the day by McLaren.
He completed only 27 laps - less than anyone else - but improved his times more than anybody else in the final half hour. His best lap was 1.698s off the pace.
1. Soucek Williams 1m19.158s 87
2. Di Resta Force India 1m19.369s + 0.221s 46
3. Paffett McLaren 1m19.426s + 0.268s 54
4. Ricciardo Red Bull 1m19.534s + 0.376s 112
5. Bianchi Ferrari 1m19.626s + 0.486s 90
6. Conway Brawn 1m19.920s + 0.762s 58
7. Rossi Sauber 1m20.227s + 1.069s 82
8. Ericsson Brawn 1m20.333s + 1.175s 49
9. Baguette Renault 1m20.511s + 1.363s 105
10. Hildebrand Force India 1m20.537s + 1.379s 49
11. Turvey McLaren 1m20.856s + 1.698s 27
11. Hartley Toro Rosso 1m21.325s + 2.167s 69
zac510 said:
When was the last time Ferrari had a young bloke in their car? Driving those things is still pretty exclusive (despite this year's driver merry-go-round) unlike other teams who seem to go through dozens of them.
Ferrari has been testing the top Italian F3 drivers since last year.Jules Bianchi isn't Italian (he's French), but he's managed by Nicolas Todt, and is an extremely impressive driver by all accounts. Judging by his performance in that dog of a Ferrari, he's doing his reputation justice.
Other day 2 times so far.
G. Paffet (GB/McLaren) 1:18.718-55v
D. Ricciardo (AUS/Red Bull) 1:19.243-61v
P. Di Resta (GB/Force India) 1:19.411-58v
M. Conway (GB/BrawnGP) 1:20.222-83v
E. Gutirrez (MEX/BMW-Sauber) 1:20.253-56v
L. Di Grassi (BRA/Renault) 1:21.076-16v
H. Tung (CHN/Renault) 1:21.492-67v
M. Bortolotti (ITA/Toro Rosso) 1:21.761-32v
N. Hulkenberg (ALE/Williams) 1:21.814-63v
J.R. Hildebrand (EE.UU./Force India) 1:23.219-15v
J. Bianchi (FRA/Ferrari) 1:23.340-63v
G. Paffet (GB/McLaren) 1:18.718-55v
D. Ricciardo (AUS/Red Bull) 1:19.243-61v
P. Di Resta (GB/Force India) 1:19.411-58v
M. Conway (GB/BrawnGP) 1:20.222-83v
E. Gutirrez (MEX/BMW-Sauber) 1:20.253-56v
L. Di Grassi (BRA/Renault) 1:21.076-16v
H. Tung (CHN/Renault) 1:21.492-67v
M. Bortolotti (ITA/Toro Rosso) 1:21.761-32v
N. Hulkenberg (ALE/Williams) 1:21.814-63v
J.R. Hildebrand (EE.UU./Force India) 1:23.219-15v
J. Bianchi (FRA/Ferrari) 1:23.340-63v
FourWheelDrift said:
Other day 2 times so far.
G. Paffet (GB/McLaren) 1:18.718-55v
D. Ricciardo (AUS/Red Bull) 1:19.243-61v
P. Di Resta (GB/Force India) 1:19.411-58v
M. Conway (GB/BrawnGP) 1:20.222-83v
E. Gutirrez (MEX/BMW-Sauber) 1:20.253-56v
L. Di Grassi (BRA/Renault) 1:21.076-16v
H. Tung (CHN/Renault) 1:21.492-67v
M. Bortolotti (ITA/Toro Rosso) 1:21.761-32v
N. Hulkenberg (ALE/Williams) 1:21.814-63v
J.R. Hildebrand (EE.UU./Force India) 1:23.219-15v
J. Bianchi (FRA/Ferrari) 1:23.340-63v
I would quite like to see what Di Resta can do in the Red Bull or McLaren.G. Paffet (GB/McLaren) 1:18.718-55v
D. Ricciardo (AUS/Red Bull) 1:19.243-61v
P. Di Resta (GB/Force India) 1:19.411-58v
M. Conway (GB/BrawnGP) 1:20.222-83v
E. Gutirrez (MEX/BMW-Sauber) 1:20.253-56v
L. Di Grassi (BRA/Renault) 1:21.076-16v
H. Tung (CHN/Renault) 1:21.492-67v
M. Bortolotti (ITA/Toro Rosso) 1:21.761-32v
N. Hulkenberg (ALE/Williams) 1:21.814-63v
J.R. Hildebrand (EE.UU./Force India) 1:23.219-15v
J. Bianchi (FRA/Ferrari) 1:23.340-63v
Interesting that Hulkenburg is so far off Soucek's pace. I appreciate that they're running different days but Paffett has been fairly consistent...
Paul Di Resta is a phenomenal talent and I suspect he will have re-alerted the paddock to his potential. I don't rate Brendon Hartley nearly as highly as Ricciardo - that guy is fantastic. I'm not sure the British F3 class of 2009 was as strong as 2008, but DR was on awesome form from the moment the flag dropped at Oulton Park in April. I get the impression BH isn't as mentally tough.
Also, fair play to Bianchi. I don't know whether his signing is an historical thing. I get the impression that the name won't do him any harm. Just gutted to see him having such a bad weekend at Brands Hatch in August - I was looking forward to an F3 masterclass. Ferrari will usually test the Italian F3 champion to my knowledge. This year's champion is Daniel Zampieri who I was most fortunate enough to witness at Magione in June. In very difficult, changeable conditions on a twisting technical circuit, he won by an absolute country mile. His throttle control was just beautiful - so much better than any of his opponents. I wonder what will happen to him...
Paul Di Resta is a phenomenal talent and I suspect he will have re-alerted the paddock to his potential. I don't rate Brendon Hartley nearly as highly as Ricciardo - that guy is fantastic. I'm not sure the British F3 class of 2009 was as strong as 2008, but DR was on awesome form from the moment the flag dropped at Oulton Park in April. I get the impression BH isn't as mentally tough.
Also, fair play to Bianchi. I don't know whether his signing is an historical thing. I get the impression that the name won't do him any harm. Just gutted to see him having such a bad weekend at Brands Hatch in August - I was looking forward to an F3 masterclass. Ferrari will usually test the Italian F3 champion to my knowledge. This year's champion is Daniel Zampieri who I was most fortunate enough to witness at Magione in June. In very difficult, changeable conditions on a twisting technical circuit, he won by an absolute country mile. His throttle control was just beautiful - so much better than any of his opponents. I wonder what will happen to him...
Good stuff. Di Resta we know is a talent. Perhaps not in LH's league when in Euro F3, though many factors will explain that. Another Coulthard I'd say... Hope not though!
Very pleased to see Paffet up there but he's been with McLaren for, what, 3 seasons now?
WTF has happened to Bianchi? He's been tipped to be the next French hope and he's been really disappointing.
Very pleased to see Paffet up there but he's been with McLaren for, what, 3 seasons now?
WTF has happened to Bianchi? He's been tipped to be the next French hope and he's been really disappointing.
Final times. Day 2.
Tiempos Test F1 Jerez-Da 2
G. Paffett (GB/McLaren) 1:18.718-80v
N. Hulkenberg (ALE/Williams) 1:19.184 (+0.466)-94v
D. Ricciardo (AUS/Red Bull) 1:19.243 (+0.525)-94v
P. Di Resta (GB/Force India) 1:19.411 (+0.693)-58v
E. Gutirrez (MEX/BMW-Sauber) 1:20.190 (+1.472)-68v
M. Conway (GB/BrawnGP) 1:20.222 (+1.504)-83v
M. Ericsson (SUE/BrawnGP) 1:22.440 (+1.722)-37v
J.R. Hildebrand (EE.UU./Force India) 1:20.517 (+1.799)-50v
J. Bianchi (FRA/Ferrari) 1:20.586 (+1.868)-113v
L. Di Grassi (BRA/Renault) 1:20.898 (+2.180)-55v
H. Tung (CHN/Renault) 1:21.492 (+2.774)-67v
M. Bortolotti (ITA/Toro Rosso) 1:21.761 (+3.043)-79v
Tiempos Test F1 Jerez-Da 2
G. Paffett (GB/McLaren) 1:18.718-80v
N. Hulkenberg (ALE/Williams) 1:19.184 (+0.466)-94v
D. Ricciardo (AUS/Red Bull) 1:19.243 (+0.525)-94v
P. Di Resta (GB/Force India) 1:19.411 (+0.693)-58v
E. Gutirrez (MEX/BMW-Sauber) 1:20.190 (+1.472)-68v
M. Conway (GB/BrawnGP) 1:20.222 (+1.504)-83v
M. Ericsson (SUE/BrawnGP) 1:22.440 (+1.722)-37v
J.R. Hildebrand (EE.UU./Force India) 1:20.517 (+1.799)-50v
J. Bianchi (FRA/Ferrari) 1:20.586 (+1.868)-113v
L. Di Grassi (BRA/Renault) 1:20.898 (+2.180)-55v
H. Tung (CHN/Renault) 1:21.492 (+2.774)-67v
M. Bortolotti (ITA/Toro Rosso) 1:21.761 (+3.043)-79v
I had the pleasure of chatting with Mike Conway at Silverstone a few years ago when he was in the F3 championship. Thoroughly nice bloke and very approachable, answering our numpty questions at length. I assume the cars are having an effect on the times achieved, so a bit tricky to determine which young gun is doing the best at the moment. 
Good luck to Mike!!!
Good luck to Mike!!!elster said:
Di Grassi is way off pace.
Bad choice perhaps?
You can only compare him to Tung really, which isn't saying much but at least he's a fair bit faster despite less laps. But we don't know what fuel any of the teams were running at the time they set their fastest laps, so a comparison is near impossible. Bad choice perhaps?
The only thing I would say is that presumably Force India put both drivers on the same programme for the day ie. gave them an equal opportunity, and Di Resta blew Hildebrand away!
mattikake said:
WTF has happened to Bianchi? He's been tipped to be the next French hope and he's been really disappointing.
He was on a heavy fuel load, getting a feel for next year's regulations: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/80407
Day 3 results:
1. Ricciardo Red Bull 1m17.418s 77
2. Di Resta Force India 1m18.736s + 1.318s 53
3. Paffett McLaren 1m18.746s + 1.328s 59
4. Conway Brawn 1m19.096s + 1.678s 77
5. Hulkenberg Williams 1m19.226s + 1.808s 106
6. Baguette Sauber 1m19.356s + 1.938s 70
7. Turvey McLaren 1m19.358s + 1.940s 32
8. Ericsson Brawn 1m19.382s + 1.964s 49
9. Di Grassi Renault 1m19.602s + 2.184s 123
10. Hildebrand Force India 1m19.873s + 2.455s 41
11. Sanchez Ferrari 1m21.147s + 3.650s 39
12. Zampieri Ferrari 1m21.279s + 3.861s 42
12. Zipoli Ferrari 1m21.725s + 4.307s 41
13. Hartley Toro Rosso 1m22.493s + 5.075s 50
15. Bortolotti Toro Rosso 1m23.271s + 5.853s 34
16. Tung Renault 1m32.477s + 15.059s 4
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