Max third on second test day: "It went well"
Published on 28 February 2017 by Stefan Meens
Max enjoyed a good start to the 2017 Formula 1 season by finishing third on the second day of the first pre-season test in Barcelona. The Dutchman, who made his debut in the RB13, lapped the Spanish track 89 times setting a personal best of 1:22.200.
Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari) topped the timing tables with a 1:20.960 on the soft tyre with Valtteri Bottas in the Mercedes making it a Finnish top two.
“Today went well”, explained Max after his first day of testing. “It’s too early to say how good we really are, but we were able to run our programme and I think we can be happy with today. We were able to do plenty of laps without many issues. We first tried the balance right, after which you start to try different stuff.”
On the first day of testing, Max’ team mate Daniel Ricciardo experienced several issues with the RB13. Afraid for a repeat of that scenario, Max was not. “No, the first day is always a case of wait and see what happens. Small hiccups are normal.”
With the big regulation chance altering the looks of the cars, Max also notices the differences in handling. “You’re using slightly different lines and you go faster through the corners. It’s noticeable on the physical side; it’s tougher for the neck, the upper body and the arms. Driving behind a car doesn’t feel much different compared to last year.”
It was a productive day for Red Bull Racing which consisted of data gathering and putting plenty of laps. Mercedes set the benchmark for mileage. Lewis Hamilton’s and Valtteri Bottas’ combined number of laps, gave the German manufacturer a tally of 168. The Finnish driver managed 102 laps but also had a scare. In the high speed turn 9, the former Williams driver lost control and spun off track, brushing the tire wall. Nevertheless, he made it back to the pits without much damage.
F1 rookie Lance Stroll’s spin in the morning was the Canadian’s last act on track. A lack of spare parts meant the Williams’ driver was sidelined for the rest of the day.
Kevin Magnussen in the new Haas completed the most laps, 118. Kimi Raikkonen managed 102, confirming the Ferrari’s reliability.
On Wednesday, it is Daniel Ricciardo’s turn for his second day in the new Red Bull racer. On Thursday, Max will complete the final day of the first pre-season test. On that day, the track will be made wet so the team can test the intermediate tires.
Pre-Season Test 1 - Circuit de Barcelona-Cataluyna - Tuesday 28 February 2017
RESULTS DAY 2 1 K. Räikkönen Ferrari 1:20.960 S 108 2 L. Hamilton Mercedes 1:20.983 SS 66 3 M. Verstappen Red Bull 1:22.200 S 89 4 K. Magnussen Haas 1:22.204 SS 118 5 E. Ocon Force India 1:22.509 SS 86 6 D. Kvyat Toro Rosso 1:22.956 S 68 7 V. Bottas Mercedes 1:22.986 S 102 8 J. Palmer Renault 1:24.139 S 53 9 A. Giovinazzi Sauber 1:24.617 S 67 10 S. Vandoorne McLaren 1:25.600 S 40 11 L. Stroll Williams 1:26.040 M 12
