Andy Soucek led the times at Jerez on Tuesday, as this week’s three-day young driver test got underway at the Spanish circuit. Soucek, testing for Williams as a prize for winning this year’s Formula Two championship, clocked a best time of 1m 19.158s to finish two-tenths ahead of Paul di Resta in the Force India.
With dry and sunny conditions, Spaniard Soucek was able to cover almost 90 laps, while Scotsman Di Resta completed 46 during his afternoon outing.
“Today was very constructive and we achieved what we wanted to achieve, which was to get familiar with the car and build up to speed slowly to fully prepare for the rest of the test,” said Di Resta, who has previously tested with McLaren.
“We tried a few different things, worked on a few set-up items and certainly went forward. That was the main goal, just building up on my side, learning more and moving forward together with the team. The VJM02 is certainly impressive and although I am still learning, I felt I could get to grips with it fairly quickly.”
Gary Paffett finished third for McLaren, conducting a number of aero configuration evaluations before focusing on tyres, and how they will perform in 2010 with higher fuel loads. Mid afternoon the team switched the MP4-24 over to McLaren Autosport BRDC Young Driver prize-winner Oliver Turvey. The afternoon run was primarily acclimatisation for the 22-year-old, who will undertake a longer stint on Thursday.
British Formula Three Champion Daniel Ricciardo was fourth for Red Bull, despite an early spin. “I don’t think I stopped smiling all day,” said the Australian. “Working with the team was great and they let me go at my own pace until I built up some confidence. After that, we began working on things that will be useful for next season. This was the first time I’ve ever driven a Formula One car round corners, having previously only done a straight line test and I have to say, it’s got more grip than anything else I’ve ever driven.”
Fifth fastest was Jules Bianchi, who made his Formula One test debut for Ferrari. Frenchman Bianchi, who recently clinched the Formula Three Euroseries title, completed 91 laps in the F60 . The 20 year-old will continue to test on Wednesday, before handing over the car to a trio of Italian F3 series drivers on the final day.
“I am really proud to have made my Formula One debut at the wheel of a Ferrari, for the greatest team in the world,” said Bianchi. “At the start, I was being careful not to make any mistakes, then once I felt confident, I pushed harder. The team spirit here is incredible and I hope I have made a positive impression on them and I want to do even better tomorrow.”
Former British F3 champion, and former Honda tester, Mike Conway finished sixth for Brawn. Conway covered 58 laps in the BGP-001 as he acclimatised himself to the car and worked through an aerodynamic evaluation. Also in action for the world champions was 19-year-old Swedish driver Marcus Ericsson, who took over from Conway after lunch. The reigning Japanese F3 champion finished his first Formula One test eighth in the times after 50 laps.
Alexander Rossi was in action for BMW Sauber, having been awarded his F1 chance after winning the Formula BMW World Final event late last year. Eighteen year-old Rossi, who also clinched the 2008 Formula BMW Americas championship, focused on familiarising himself with the track and the car. Although he wasn’t sent out on a low-fuel run, he was charged with carrying out some set-up tests.
“I very much enjoyed this day,” said the Californian, who finished seventh. “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.”
Belgian driver Bertrand Baguette began Renault’s session with a full day in the car as his prize for winning the World Series by Renault 3.5 category earlier this season. The programme focussed mainly on evaluating Bertrand, but the team also tried some new development items in preparation for 2010. The 23-year-old covered 105 laps behind the wheel of the R29 as he completed a trouble-free first day in an F1 car.
"This was my first time in an F1 car and I really enjoyed it,” said Baguette. “There's a huge difference between the F1 car and a World Series car, especially the efficiency of the brakes, which is incredible, and the speed you can carry through the quick corners. Also, it's a completely different world and I've been getting used to working with five or six engineers instead of just one. We started the day with a long run so that I could get used to the car and then we started the technical programme as I worked on improving the set-up of the car. It was an amazing experience for me and I hope to do this again in the future."
American driver JR Hildebrand finished tenth on the back of his morning outing with Force India. “I was really impressed with the ability of the car,” said the 21 year-old Indy Lights champion. “It is different in every way to what I'm used to, both in terms of the outright speed, but also in terms of the characteristics of the car and how it behaves, brakes and drives through corners. Having raced on ovals I'm used to a high top speed, so that wasn't too much of a shock, but the amount of load it runs and how much speed you can carry through the corner took some getting used to.
“The track was clearly improving throughout the morning, so based on the program we were running, in terms of relative pace we were doing pretty well. I felt I was getting there and was starting to get the most out of the car, particularly towards the end.”
Brendon Hartley completed the timesheets at the wheel of Toro Rosso’s STR4. His programme did not get off to the best of starts, as he spun at the fast right hander, following the chicane, having just switched to different aero settings on the car. The damage was repaired in time for the New Zealander to get back on track by the end of the morning. His programme had three main elements: aero measurement testing in view of 2010, running the car with ballast to simulate the weight of next year’s cars on full tanks, as refuelling is banned, and carrying out some brake testing.
“Apart from going off the track early on, I was generally happy with the way the day went, as I had not driven an F1 car for a while, so now I’m looking forward to making the best of Thursday when I get another run,” said Hartley.
Testing continues at Jerez on Wednesday.
Unofficial Tuesday times from Jerez:
1. Andy Soucek, Williams, 1:19.158
2. Paul Di Resta, Force India, 1:19.369
3. Gary Paffett, McLaren, 1:19.426
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull, 1:19.534
5. Jules Bianchi, Ferrari, 1:19.626
6. Mike Conway, Brawn GP, 1:19.920
7. Alexander Rossi, BMW Sauber, 1:20.227
8. Marcus Ericsson, Brawn GP, 1:20.333
9. Bertrand Baguette, Renault, 1:20.511
10. JR Hildebrand, Force India, 1:20.537
11. Oliver Turvey, McLaren, 1:20.856
12. Brendon Hartley, Toro Rosso, 1:21.325
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Showing posts with label Soucek. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Soucek. Show all posts
Wednesday, 2 December 2009
Tuesday, 1 December 2009
Soucek tops Jerez test for Williams
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.
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.
Today's times:
Pos Driver Team Time Laps
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
All Timing Unofficial
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.
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.
Today's times:
Pos Driver Team Time Laps
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
All Timing Unofficial
Monday, 30 November 2009
Soucek: Williams test a dream chance
Formula 2 champion Andy Soucek says his maiden Formula 1 test with the Williams team is a dream come true for him.
The 24-year-old Spaniard will make his F1 debut at Jerez tomorrow as a prize for winning the F2 championship this year.
Soucek says he's not putting himself under pressure for the test, but is confident he will be able to do a solid job.
"For me it is like a dream come true, having an F1 team focus on you for an entire day," said Soucek. "Williams really do set the highest standards, and every detail is examined and catered for - I even had three people analysing how my seat position could improve!
"It's a big responsibility driving Williams' car, and as always I'll be going out hoping to be fast and do the best job I can.
"However I'm not putting myself under too much pressure; I'm confident and relaxed more than anything else, and it will just be great to get experience from the test and get reference points of how Formula 1 works."
Soucek, winner of seven races in F2 this year, is aware that speed will not be the only factor in impressing the team.
"The test is about an accumulation of factors," he added. "You need to be able to create and build a good environment with the team, you have to deliver good and accurate reports on the car, and of course you have to be quick. If you put everything together, then you have a good test. I'm just going to be myself and be natural.
"I knew I had the test after Imola where I won the championship, so since then I have been training a lot, working on my neck and my fitness. F1 requires you to be in very good physical shape, so I have been working hard.
"It's also about your mental state, so I have spent the last few days with my grandmother and family in order to be fully focussed before the test. On Monday I will spend the whole day with my engineer making final adjustments, and then I'm sure the nerves will kick in the night before.
"Overall though I'm feeling very relaxed and confident. I have even had my Stilo helmet repainted with the Williams blue and white colour scheme, and it looks really good. The team made me feel very comfortable, and I can't wait to get out in the car
The 24-year-old Spaniard will make his F1 debut at Jerez tomorrow as a prize for winning the F2 championship this year.
Soucek says he's not putting himself under pressure for the test, but is confident he will be able to do a solid job.
"For me it is like a dream come true, having an F1 team focus on you for an entire day," said Soucek. "Williams really do set the highest standards, and every detail is examined and catered for - I even had three people analysing how my seat position could improve!
"It's a big responsibility driving Williams' car, and as always I'll be going out hoping to be fast and do the best job I can.
"However I'm not putting myself under too much pressure; I'm confident and relaxed more than anything else, and it will just be great to get experience from the test and get reference points of how Formula 1 works."
Soucek, winner of seven races in F2 this year, is aware that speed will not be the only factor in impressing the team.
"The test is about an accumulation of factors," he added. "You need to be able to create and build a good environment with the team, you have to deliver good and accurate reports on the car, and of course you have to be quick. If you put everything together, then you have a good test. I'm just going to be myself and be natural.
"I knew I had the test after Imola where I won the championship, so since then I have been training a lot, working on my neck and my fitness. F1 requires you to be in very good physical shape, so I have been working hard.
"It's also about your mental state, so I have spent the last few days with my grandmother and family in order to be fully focussed before the test. On Monday I will spend the whole day with my engineer making final adjustments, and then I'm sure the nerves will kick in the night before.
"Overall though I'm feeling very relaxed and confident. I have even had my Stilo helmet repainted with the Williams blue and white colour scheme, and it looks really good. The team made me feel very comfortable, and I can't wait to get out in the car
Sunday, 1 November 2009
Soucek confident of F1 seat for 2010
Formula 2 champion Andy Soucek remains confident that his performance in this weekend's round at Barcelona will enable him to secure a seat on the Formula 1 grid in 2010.
Soucek took his second race win of the weekend - and seventh of the season - at the Circuit de Catalunya this afternoon. He will now test for Williams later in the year as part of the prize package for his Formula 2 title success.
Soucek, who has previously tested for the Toyota F1 team as a reward for winning the Spanish F3 championship, said: "I don't think many people can say that they have tested for Toyota and Williams. We'll see if I can do a good job with the rookies.
"I think it's going to be easier than having Hamilton and Alonso there but it's going to be tough for sure. I'm going to try my best and try to show why Formula 2 is a good category to go into Formula 1."
Soucek declined to name which Formula 1 teams he is in negotiations with but hinted that a deal is close to being reached.
"I'm working very hard on next year not only in terms of management but also physically. I cannot really say anything else until it is signed. I don't want to talk but things look good."
Soucek took his second race win of the weekend - and seventh of the season - at the Circuit de Catalunya this afternoon. He will now test for Williams later in the year as part of the prize package for his Formula 2 title success.
Soucek, who has previously tested for the Toyota F1 team as a reward for winning the Spanish F3 championship, said: "I don't think many people can say that they have tested for Toyota and Williams. We'll see if I can do a good job with the rookies.
"I think it's going to be easier than having Hamilton and Alonso there but it's going to be tough for sure. I'm going to try my best and try to show why Formula 2 is a good category to go into Formula 1."
Soucek declined to name which Formula 1 teams he is in negotiations with but hinted that a deal is close to being reached.
"I'm working very hard on next year not only in terms of management but also physically. I cannot really say anything else until it is signed. I don't want to talk but things look good."
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