Final F1 Test at Barcelona: DAY 1+2 - Jenson and Checo continue the development of the MP4-28

DAY 1 Report

Overnight heavy rain and constant drizzle throughout the morning meant it was a slow start to the final pre-season test of 2013. Today was Sergio Perez’s penultimate day in the MP4-28 before Melbourne, and the wet weather prompted the team to undertake a more conservative run programme.

Checo conducted some aero mapping in the morning before the team chose to focus on developing a stable set-up on the Intermediate tyre and putting some solid mileage on our 2013 package. With 100 laps under his belt, it was a positive first day.

Location: Circuit de Catalunya
Driver: Sergio Perez
Track length: 4.655km
Laps: 100
Km covered: 466
Best laptime: 1m 26.538s
Test dates: Four days (February 28 - March 3)

What’s next?

With more wet weather predicted for tomorrow, Jenson’s programme is expected to be a continuation of today’s. Drier conditions are forecast for Saturday and Sunday – a benefit to the team as it brings together all the elements that constitute the aerodynamic package that it runs in Australia next month.

DAY 1 Standings

Pos / Driver / Constructor / Time / Laps

1 / Mark Webber / Red Bull Racing / 1m 22.693s / 90

2 / Lewis Hamilton / Mercedes AMG / 1m 24.348s / 113

3 / Jean-Eric Vergne / Scuderia Toro Rosso / 1m 25.017s / 59

4 / Valtteri Bottas / Williams / 1m 26.458s / 85

5 / Sergio Perez / Vodafone McLaren Mercedes / 1m 26.538s / 100

6 / Esteban Gutierrez / Sauber / 1m 26.574s / 92

7 / Paul di Resta / Force India / 1m 27.107s / 57

8 / Felipe Massa / Ferrari / 1m 27.541s / 112

9 / Max Chilton / Marussia / 1m 28.166s / 78

10 / Charles Pic / Caterham / 1m 28.644s / 83

11 / Romain Grosjean / Lotus / 1m 34.928s / 52

DAY 2 Report

The anticipated heavy showers largely held off and the majority of the day’s running was conducted on a dry track. A still-damp morning meant Jenson’s early running was limited to aero mapping and a couple of mechanical evaluations.

As the circuit dried out, Jenson switched to Pirelli’s Medium compound and ran through a number of different mechanical set-up iterations to find a good balance for MP4-28. The programme was efficient and productive, with Jenson going quicker on each subsequent run.

By mid-afternoon, the team was able to evaluate a number of upgrades over a series of longer runs. While these were interrupted by a late-afternoon red-flag stoppage, Jenson was still able to log some considerable mileage and even incorporate a series of live pitstop simulations into the mix.

Location: Circuit de Catalunya
Driver: Jenson Button
Track length: 4.655km
Laps: 72
Km covered: 335
Best laptime: 1m 23.181s
Test dates: Four days (February 28- March 3)

What’s next?

Saturday is Checo’s final day in the car before Melbourne. With clearer weather forecast, the aim will be to quickly run through further mechanical and aerodynamic evaluations before continuing more set-up work.

DAY 2 Standings

Pos / Driver / Constructor / Time / Laps

1 / Romain Grosjean / Lotus / 1m 22.716s / 88

2 / Jenson Button / Vodafone McLaren Mercedes / 1m 23.181s / 72

3 / Pastor Maldonado / Williams / 1m 23.628s / 75

4 / Sebastian Vettel / Red Bull Racing / 1m 23.743s / 65

5 / Nico Hulkenberg / Sauber / 1m 23.744s / 79

6 / Adrian Sutil / Force India / 1m 24.215s / 62

7 / Daniel Ricciardo / Scuderia Toro Rosso / 1m 25.483s / 61

8 / Max Chilton / Marussia / 1m 25.598s / 75

9 / Giedo van der Garde / Caterham / 1m 26.316s / 48

10 / Nico Rosberg / Mercedes AMG / 1m 26.655s / 120

11 / Fernando Alonso / Ferrari / 1m 27.878s / 102

~ Official photos and reports courtesy of Vodafone McLaren Mercedes ~

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