Button sets fastest time on first day of preseason testing in Jerez
Vodafone McLaren-Mercedes driver Jenson Button closed out day one of the first preseason test on the Jerez circuit with the fastest unofficial time.
Jenson Button, McLaren
XPB Images
The first day of preseason testing for the Formula One teams to kick off the start of preparation for the first grand prix in Australia is really more of a shakedown of their new 2013 cars – except for the Williams F1 team who will be using their spec 2012 car.
The Jerez de la Frontera circuit is one that the teams do not race on during the season, but it is one of their favorite ones to test at. Taking the fastest unofficial time of 1:18.861 today was Jenson Button in the new Vodafone McLaren-Mercedes MP4-28.
Despite the loss of time due to a “mechanical fuel-pump” in the morning, the car had no major issues to slow it down in the afternoon. Yet at the end of the day, Button was clearly ahead by eight-tenths of a second on the new Pirelli hard-compound tyres. Tomorrow, new team driver Sergio Perez will get his turn to test the new 2013 challenger.
Mark Webber was second with a time of 1:19.709 for the Infiniti Red Bull Renault team. The Australian was able to put down 73 laps in the RB9. The new Pirelli tyres were a key area in today’s first test day.
Webber said, “It was actually like a Friday practice session in some regards. We started understanding the tyres and there were a lot of positives,” he added. “There’s a bit of housekeeping we have to get on top of but, other than that, it’s been encouraging. The car feels similar to last year’s, so the main difference is the tyres. With these tyres you’re always on your toes.”
Third was Romain Grosjean for the Lotus-Renault team after Webber dropped him down a slot. Grosjean’s time was a 1:19.796.
Only one incident happened when rookie driver Max Chilton went off the track due to a failure in the rear suspension on the newly launched Marussia-Cosworth.
Unofficial Times
Pos | Driver | Constructor | Best time | Laps |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Jenson Button | Vodafone McLaren Mercedes | 1m 18.861s | 37 |
2 | Mark Webber | Red Bull Racing | 1m 19.709s | 73 |
3 | Romain Grosjean | Lotus-Renault | 1m 19.796s | 54 |
4 | Paul di Resta | Force India | 1m 20.343s | 89 |
5 | Daniel Ricciardo | Scuderia Toro Rossa | 1m 20.401s | 70 |
6 | Felipe Massa | Ferrari | 1m 20.536s | 64 |
7 | Nico Hulkenberg | Sauber | 1m 20.699s | 79 |
8 | Nico Rosberg | Mercedes AMG | 1m 20.846s | 11 |
9 | Pastor Maldonado | Williams | 1m 20.864s | 84 |
10 | Giedo van der Garde | Caterham | 1m 21.915s | 64 |
11 | Max Chilton | Marussia | 1m 24.176s | 29 |
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