Although we’ve now passed the Dark Dazes (Doldrums) ‘O NO Formula One... Are Yuhs feelin’ it yet? As I’ve been feverishly tryin’ to put out my “HoneyDew” – Err, No Fenders Action Items list and thus, here’s a look at the final two Test Sessions held at Yas Isle Marina Circuit way back on November 16-17 & November 19-20, along with a ‘Quickie look-see at the start of this year’s Winter Olympics...
F1 Young Drivers Test
(Yas Marina Circuit: Abu Dhabi, UAE; Nov 16-17, 2010)
Not surprisingly, Red Bull picked up exactly where they’d left off during the 2010 Formula One Season Finale – which saw Master ‘Zebb (Vettel) come out on top, along with having captured its very first Constructors Title.
Thus, it shouldn’t be too surprising that RBR test driver Daniel Ricciardo blitzed the field whilst running 83-laps with a top lap time of 1:39.616; McLaren’s Oliver Turvey clocked up the second quickest time after running 85-laps with a time of 1:40.725; and Antonio Felix da Costa Finished third for Force India with a fast lap of 1:41.381.
Hispania ran future Williams F1 race driver Pastor Maldonado for a total of 94-laps and surprisingly, HRT wasn’t last on the Timesheets, as Maldonado posted a lap of 1:43.750 for 11th overall – even one place ahead of Jules Bianchi’s Ferrari...
Meanwhile Sauber Motorsports Esteban Gutierrez posted a time of 1:41.432 for a fine fourth overall on Day-1, with Sergio Perez finishing the test with a time of 1:41.894 on Day-2, whilst Virgin recruit Jerome D'Ambrosio garnered valuable extra seat time at Renault on the test’s second day, after passing his audition with Virgin the day prior. As the Belgian vaulted to P3 on the Timesheets behind Ricciardo & Bianchi respectively...
Young Drivers Test: Day-1 Results
Young Drivers Test: Day-2 Results
F1 Pirelli Tyre Testing
(Yas Marina Circuit: Abu Dhabi, UAE; Nov 16-17, 2010)
Scuderia Ferrari’s Felipe Massa & Fred “GFYS Vitaly” Alonso topped the Timesheets during the two days respectively; whilst reportedly some heads turned when DER TERMINATOR, nee Herr Schumacher vaulted into P2 on the Timesheets... But this was later disallowed as Michael had decided to shortcut a chicane and was relegated down to seventh place – being sandwiched between a trio of Test Drivers...
Pirelli Tyre Test: Day-1 Results
Pirelli Tyre Test: Day-2 Results
F1 Winter Olympics
This year I’m gonna refrain from any “Testing” coverage – since it’ll be splattered all over BloggerLand, the times most likely won’t mean a whole lot and I’ve got too MANY other stories to scribble; I MEAN HE-LL, I haven’t even begun my first round of vaunted 2011 F1 Car launches...
La Scuderia, nee Ferrari was first to the dance – as typical with its unveiling of its F150 on January 28th at Maranello, whilst Sauber & Genii-Reggie-Loti-X-P-Caladrocious took the covers off at Valencia on January 31, before heading Ontrack – and were followed by Red Bull’s ‘lil Seester Scuderia Toro rosso on February 1st, along with the brand new Williams FW33 sporting an interim livery – prior to its official launch later in February...
Meanwhile – the other ‘Playerz: Force India, Hispania(?)McLaren, Mercedes, Red Bull & Team Lotus, (with an Internetz only launch slated ironically at the same time as its Kissing Cousin Group Lotus...) will take part in the first test at Valencia: 02/01-03; with updated 2010/11 Hybrids before debuting their semi-definitive (new) 2011 challengers at later dates; most prior to the second test session at Jerez: 02/10-13. Testing then shifts to the Circuit de Catalunya: 02/18-21 before wrapping up at Bahrain: 03/03-06, where Hispania will reveal it’s hoped for cosmic rocket F111 livery to inspire some much needed pace...
