Red-hot Webber secures Monaco win
Mark Webber cruised to his second victory in eight days, as Red Bull showed their dominance on the narrow streets of Monaco.
Webber was untouchable all afternoon, and if it hadn’t been for several safety-car dramas, the Australian would of finished almost a minute ahead of his team-mate Sebastien Vettel, who finished second.
Renault’s Robert Kubica deservedly grabbed the final podium position after a great drive. A podium finish was just-rewards for the Pole, who was on the pace from the first lap in Thursday morning practice.
Felipe Massa brought his Ferrari home in fourth, whilst Lewis Hamilton finished fifth in the sole McLaren. Hamilton’s team-mate and defending champion Jenson Button retired due to a bizarre incident, where a mechanic left a bung in the radiator before the race, which in-turn ruined the engine.
Michael Schumacher was demoted from sixth to 12th after an “illegal” move on Fernando Alonso on the final corner of the final lap. The seven-time world champion passed a doozy Alonso after the safety-car pitted to let the drivers finish the race. However, the race stewards, headed by ’96 champion Damon Hill, deemed the pass to be against the rules and added twenty seconds to Schumacher’s finish time.
Mercedes were furious with the stewards’ decision, and subsequently forwarded an appeal to the FIA.
Due to Schumacher’s penalty, Nico Rosberg moved up to seventh in the sister Mercedes. Force India were delighted after seeing both cars finish in the points – Sutil 8th and Liuzzi 9th.
Toro Rosso’s Sebastien Buemi claimed his first point of the season after crossing the line in tenth.
This race though will be remembered for two reasons – three safety-car periods and the immense pace of Mark Webber.
The safety-car ventured out on the opening lap after Nico Hulkenberg suffered a front wing failure, which led to a huge collision against the barriers in the tunnel. Button also stopped on the same lap.
The incidents brought huge smiles to the faces at Ferrari as Alonso could change from the soft to the hard compound of tyres. The Spaniard’s pit-stop meant he didn’t need to stop again, whilst his rivals would have to later on in the race.
Webber quickly established a big lead with some stunning lap times, but saw it disappear thanks to Rubens Barrichello’s spectacular accident. The Brazilian veteran suffered a rear suspension failure on lap 32 up Beau Rivage, resulting in the second safety-car period of the afternoon.
After the round of pit-stops the 33-year-old was lapping almost half-a-second a lap over his younger team-mate, and despite another safety-car period thanks to Jarno Trulli and Karun Chandhok colliding around Rascasse, he marched to victory.
Interestingly, Vettel set the fastest lap of the weekend, suggesting Webber could of gone even faster had he needed to. This stat would of made the rest of field feel very flat indeed, especially as this track was supposedly one of the weaker circuits for the Milton Keynes team.
Webber now joins the likes of Ayrton Senna and Juan Manuel Fangio in winning the historic Monaco race, and was delighted to join the illustrious list of winners.
“It’s a special day, the greatest of my life I suppose,” the Australian said.
“To join Ayrton Senna and the likes round here is a very special thing,” he continued.
Vettel said he was “happy” with second and admitted that his team-mate was not going to be caught and needed to improve quickly.
Robert Kubica made it three cars on the podium with Renault engines, and paid tribute to the team after a terrific weekend.
“Our podium today had nothing to do with luck because we have been quick all weekend,” he said.
“It’s a great reward for the entire team who are working so hard at the moment,” he continued.
Webber cruises to Spanish Grand Prix victory
Mark Webber was in dominant mood as he led from start-to-finish to record his first win of the season at the Catalunya circuit.
The Australian driver started from pole position and after beating team-mate Sebastien Vettel into the first corner, was untouchable at the front and cruised to victory.
Home favourite Fernando Alonso was promoted from fourth to second after Vettel and Lewis Hamilton suffered failures on their cars during the race.
Vettel was troubled with a brake problem late on in the race but still managed to salvage the final podium finish. Hamilton, who drove superbly all afternoon, was on his way to a very well deserved second-place, but was dealt a cruel penultimate-lap puncture which left him sandwiched in the tyre wall.
The failures of the two young drivers left the wily old-fox Alonso with a gleaming smile on his face, 18 points and knowledge that he had sent his natives home very happy.
Seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher produced his best result of the season for Mercedes, finishing fourth. The German finished ahead of Jenson Button, who spent most of the afternoon stuck behind the Silver Arrow after a long pit-stop, which left the world champion frustrated.
“I was delayed at the first pit-stop; there was problem with the clutch dragging,” he revealed.
“As everyone knows it’s almost overtake around here, and Michael was moving about a bit to make sure I couldn’t get past. That was frustrating because the pace of the car was really good this afternoon.”
Felipe Massa finished only a second behind Button after catching the slow-moving Schumacher. Force India’s Adrian Sutil held off the challenge of Renault’s Robert Kubica to take a credible seventh place.
Rubens Barrichello produced a strong race from 17th on the grid to take ninth, whilst Jaime Alguersuari took the final point for Toro Rosso after an eventful race for the Spanish rookie.
It wasn’t such an exhilarating race for race-winner Webber though. The 33-year-old was in imperious form and was totally unchallenged after the first few corners at the start, where Vettel, Hamilton and Alonso all challenged for the lead.
He held on and delivered a perfect race for the Milton Keynes squad. After the race, Webber spoke of his delight at his first race of the season.
“I’m absolutely rapt,” he said. “We knew it was a long run into the first corner here.
“It was a very important part of the race to get our of Turn One still in the lead, it was pretty tight, and then just settle into a rhythm. We just controlled the gap really.”
Fernando Alonso was ecstatic after his unexpected second-place, but was keen to point out that the car needed to be vastly improved.
“It was a fantastic weekend for us, some unexpected positions. But we saw we need to improve the car,” the Spaniard said.
“Sometimes we will be third, sometimes we will be fifth, sometime we will be first. As long as we do 100% each time we can be satisfied, so we have to be satisfied with this race.”
Championship contender Sebastien Vettel had a difficult afternoon after falling behind Lewis Hamilton at the pit-stop, then experiencing brake problems, which could of seen him retire from the race. But the German soldiered on and limped to the finish.
“The lap after [the pit-stop] I got the call to come in and retire and I said ‘Is there no way to continue?’” said the 22-year-old.
“I wanted to stay out and try get some points, I was thinking two or three, but in the end I finished on the podium, so I think, like it or not, it was a lucky day.”
After Webber’s victory the championship looks even tighter than before. Jenson Button remains the man to beat, but his lead has been cut to three points by Fernando Alonso.
Vettel and Webber occupy third and fourth in the standings – 10 and 17 points behind the Englishman respectively.
It was a miserable day for Button’s team-mate and fellow countryman Lewis Hamilton, who would of been one point behind the reigning champion had it not been for his puncture late-on. Instead, he now trails by 21 points. As does Felipe Massa after his steady performance Sunday.
Button leads McLaren 1-2
Jenson Button produced a gritty performance to win an enthralling Chinese Grand Prix and head a McLaren one-two to top the championship standings.
Rain played a major factor as Nico Rosberg grabbed a consecutive podium for Mercedes, whilst Fernando Alonso overcame a stop-go penalty for jumping the start to finish fourth in Shanghai.
Robert Kubica continued his fine form for Renault as he finished fifth, but he wasn’t the only Renault driver to impress, Vitaly Petrov secured his first points in F1 after an impressive drive.
It was a terrible day for Red Bull though, despite starting pole and second, Sebastien Vettel and Mark Webber struggled in the changing conditions and had no answer to the dominant McLarens – both finished sixth and eighth respectively.
Felipe Massa and seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher rounded off the top ten after forgettable races.
The defending world champion will not forget this race in a hurry though, the Frome driver started fifth on the grid and looked like he would go backwards after not pitting for intermediates during the first of two safety car periods on the opening laps. However, his call to stay out proved correct and pivotal as the heavy rain never materialised, which left the his pitted rivals in limbo.
Rosberg also stayed out on slicks and subsequently led the Grand Prix from Button, but the German handed the lead to the 30-year-old Englishman when he slipped off the track, proving the track was indeed damp. The slip left the Mercedes an easy target on the 1km straight, and the straight line speed of the McLaren proved decisive.
With the track drying out quickly after the sharp shower, it soon became obvious the intermediate trye was losing temperature and grip, leaving drivers with no choice but to switch back to slicks, two laps after changing to intermediates.
With the likes of Lewis Hamilton, the Red Bull’s and Ferrari’s losing valuable time in the pits, it looked like a two-horse race between Button and Rosberg for the win.
Hamilton, who has demonstrated some awesome overtaking maneuvers so far this season, was in imperious form again once when he was on the right tyres. A great tussle with Michael Schumacher being a particular highlight, and when he overcame the 41-year-old he set about his chase on a podium place.
The 2008 champion must have scented deja vu after being denied by Kubica in Melbourne, but history wouldn’t repeat itself with Hamilton using the core straight-line speed of the McLaren to get passed the Polish driver.
With a possible win in his sights, he needed to get past the sister Silver Arrow of Rosberg quickly, but was denied for several laps and losing precious time. He decided to dive into the pits for fresh rubber with the strategy of passing him when Rosberg pitted a lap later.
The strategy paid off for Hamilton as he jumped into second and was seemingly on his way to a much-anticipated duel with the lonely Button up front.
Button, though, was in no mood for a fight and was matching his team-mate in lap times and it soon became clear that fans would have to wait a while longer before any such scrap would occur.
Button and Hamilton were both struggling for grip in the latter stages, with Button actually straying off track for a moment. With the tyres losing tred it was a nervewracking few laps for the Woking outfit. However, they both gingerly nurtured their cars home to record McLaren’s first one-two of the season.
Behind the McLaren’s, Alonso was desperately trying to overcome Rosberg and seize the final place on the podium. But the young German gave a sterling defensive performance and deservedly held on to his third place.
The reigning world champion now leads the drivers’ standings on 60 points; with Rosberg on 50 and the duo of Alonso and Hamilton tied on 49.
He was delighted with the victory, particularly as he felt himself and the car was worthy of the win and not the lucky winner people may suggest.
“For me it’s my best victory,” said the ecstatic Briton.
“It wasn’t just the luck of the weather of calling the weather, we had good pace.
“Towards the end of the race, the team said ‘you’re two seconds quicker than most people, except for (team-mate) Lewis (Hamilton) who’s doing the same times as you,” he continued.
It may not be the win he craved, but Hamilton, was similarly happy with the next best thing and also paid tribute to his colleague.
“First of all congratulations to Jenson he did an incredible job today and yes, made the better choice on the tyres. But it was very tough.”
The 24-year-old also said he wasn’t really sure why he was being investigated after the race. The incident in the pitlane involving himself and Vettel, where both drivers ended up side-by-side when released from their boxes, was reviewed after the race and subsequently, the pair were reprimanded but face no penalty which will be seen as the cherry on top for McLaren.
Vettel produces Malaysia masterclass
Sebastien Vettel was in scintillating form as he led his Red Bull to a 1-2 finish at the Malaysian Grand Prix on Sunday afternoon.
Vettel and team-mate Mark Webber left their reliability problems back in Australia as the pair cruised home to deliver their first win of the season.
Nico Rosberg claimed the final podium spot for Mercedes, with Renault’s Robert Kubica and Force India’s Adrian Sutil securing well-deserved fourth and fifth places respectively.
The two McLarens of Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button produced good drives from the back of the field to secure vital points in their championship push – finishing sixth and eighth correspondingly.
Ferrari had a mixed afternoon with Felipe Massa finishing seventh, whilst former world champion Fernando Alonso struggled with a downshift problem during the race and failed to finish but it was an engine failure that shattered his afternoon in the latter stages.
Rookies Jaime Alguersuari and Nico Hulkenberg secured their first points in F1 after good drives. Spaniard Alguersuari particularly stood out after some fantastic overtaking maneuvers.
Massa now leads the drivers’ championship, with Vettel and Alonso tied two points behind. Alonso technically heads the two after picking up stronger results in the opening three races.
Button and Rosberg are also tied, four points behind Massa. The duo are four points ahead of the sister McLaren of Hamilton and five ahead of Kubica, who is maintaining his impressive form in the Renault.
It was Vettel though who made the biggest jump in the championship race with a masterful display, and he admitted the start was the key and was understandably delighted after the race despite the humid weather conditions.
“I realised straight away I had a good start, I was able to gain, gain, gain and I had a good advantage,” cheered Vettel. “I took the chance into Turn One, it was very late but I took it.”
Vettel, who would of won the opening two races of the season bar reliability issues, was relieved to break his duck this season and now wants more when the F1 circus reaches China in two weeks time.
“It was a very good result for us especially after two races where we didn’t finish where we wanted to be. It was important to stay relaxed and not panic so I am really pleased for me and the team,” added the German youngster.
Mark Webber secured the fastest lap of the race in the sister Red Bull, but will rue his start where he started from pole. He blamed wheel spin as he gave up top spot in the first corner. Nevertheless, he is well in touch with his championship rivals and paid tribute to the team.
“The spirit and chemistry in our team is awesome and we fought well. Seb got the better of me but it could have gone either way,” said the Australian.
“Great result for the team, we executed a beautiful weekend,” he added.
It wasn’t such a beautiful weekend for McLaren and Ferrari, who were made to regret qualifying on Saturday, where their strategies didn’t pay off. With both teams refusing to set a ‘banker’ lap, they paid the price when the heavy rain and runied the chances of their cars getting into Q2.
World champion Button managed to get into the second phase of qualifying, but aquaplaned off the circuit after setting his lap in Q1, so he was unable to compete in the next phase and was subsequently knocked out.
Having said that, all four championship contenders – Alonso, Massa; Button and Hamilton – managed to force their way through the field to place themselves nicely in points scoring positions on Sunday afternoon.
Alonso though, retired late on after suffering engine failure whilst trying to pass Button. The 2005 and 2006 champion suffered with a downshift problem throughout the race and deserves credit for staying with the McLaren and Ferrari train.
Hamilton, in particular, was outstanding with some bold overtaking and cruising past eight cars from the start into Turn One. Despite starting 20th and finishing sixth, the 2008 champion believes he could of finished higher but the straight-line speed of the Force India of Sutil in fifth thwarted his progress.
He was delighted with his race and finishing position though: “I’m very happy with that, I couldn’t have asked for anymore than that 20th to sixth,” Hamilton said. “It’s a great result for me,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, it was a satisfactory day for the new teams as Virgin brought home Lucas di Grassi, whilst Lotus and Hispania brought both drivers home.
McLaren need to be faster – Button
Jesnon Button has admitted that his McLaren team is not yet in a position to win races consistently this season.
Button won the Australian Grand Prix on Sunday in supreme style but admitted the changing conditions and his slick pit-stop to change to slicks from intermediates was the key to the victory.
The McLaren has struggled to match the pace of the Red Bulls and Ferraris in qualifying, and whilst he is delighted to have won his first race for the Woking outfit, he is calling for more in qualifying pace.
“We’re not in a position to go to the next two or three races and walk away with victories, so we’ve got to enjoy this moment and think we’ve got some good points when we’re not the quickest,” the reigning world champion said.
“Qutright pace in qualifying is something we’re lacking, so it’s an area we desperately need to work on,” he added.
The general consensus around the paddock is that the McLaren is the third fastest team in the field – behind the Red Bulls and the Ferraris – it bodes well for the team that they have seized their opportunity whilst not possessing the fastest car on the grid.
McLaren started the 2009 season in dreadful fashion, and had to wait until the second half of the season before a race victory was achieved, therefore, there was no championship challenge to be under taken. And, whilst the car is not the apathetic dog it was last season, they team is struggling in comparison to the top two teams.
Despite the position in the hierarchy, both drivers lead both Red Bulls in the drivers’ standings, whilst the team are second only to Ferrari in the constructors standings.
Red Bull in particular will be extremely disappointed with the opening two races, with Sebastien Vettel leading both and on course to record victories – he has scored 12 points, when it should really be 50.
Reliability cost the team from Milton Keynes a real shot at the championship in 2009, and will be desperate to stamp out the underlying issues quickly.
If McLaren can achieve the same rate of progress of last season, there is no doubt the all-British team will be be fighting for both championships come November.
Button forges to dramatic victory
Jenson Button claimed his first win for McLaren in a fantastic race, where leader Sebastien Vettel spun out with brake failure.
If the race in Bahrain two weeks ago was subdued, then the race in Australia was nothing short of spectacular – changing weather, consistent drama and endless overtaking being a constant throughout the 58 laps.
Button claimed the win in Melbourne, largely thanks to his bold tyre call where he chose to change from intermediates to slicks earlier than his rivals on lap six. The move puzzled many, particularly when he slid off at turn three on his out-lap, but Button was soon lapping 2 seconds faster than the leaders, which prompted a mass influx of drivers in the pit-lane for tyre changes.
Once all the drivers had pitted Button was second, just behind Vettel. It looked like the race victory would be between Vettel, Button and Lewis Hamilton, who produced the best drive of the year so far.
Hamilton was majestic in all departments, including a stunning pass on Mercedes’ Nico Rosberg at turn 11, on the outside, showing the bravery and fight the 25-year-old has.
Hamilton’s chase for victory was ruined though by an unnecessary second pit-stop, which he was left fuming about during and after the race. He claimed afterwards that the team ruined a possible 1-2, which was certainly in the pipeline for the Woking outfit.
The 2008 world champion’s afternoon took a turn for the worse on the penultimate lap, whilst trying to overtake Fernando Alonso’s Ferrari, home favourite Mark Webber nudged him into a spin which left him stranded in sixth at the end of proceedings.
At the front, a brake failure saw leader Vettel spin out allowing the reigning world champion Button in, the Frome driver produced a stunning drive to win the race he won previously 12 months ago.
Button managed his tyres beautifully for 52 laps and was pummeling personal bests lap-after-lap. It was a testament to Button’s fluent driving style. A champion’s drive.
“This victory means so much to me. A Grand Prix win in a McLaren. Sounds good, doesn’t it? Right now, I just want to run around and scream,” delighted Button said. “It’s just the most amazing experience,” he added.
Robert Kubica and Felipe Massa clamied second and third respectively to claim positions on the podium alongside Button. Kubica did a fantastic job to hold off Hamilton initially and then the two Prancing Horses in the latter stages, the result will be a huge boost to Renault after all the beleaguered doom and gloom around the team.
Massa had a strange afternoon in his Ferrari, he struggled with his tyres throughout where a lack of grip almost cost him dearly several times. The Brazilian though, with his tyre issues, achieved an excellent result and will go home with a cheeky smile on his face after beating team-mate Alonso.
The F1 circus moves onto Sepang, Malaysia next weekend – more of the same is the order of the day.
1. Jenson Button 1:33:36.531
2. Robert Kubica +12.0 secs
3. Felipe Massa +14.4
4. Fernando Alonso +16.3
5. Nico Rosberg +16.6
6. Lewis Hamilton +29.8
7. Vitantonio Liuzzi +59.8
8. Rubens Barrichello +60.5
9. Mark Webber +67.3
10. Michael Schumacher +69.3
Alonso snatches victory from Vettel
Fernando Alonso led Felipe Massa to claim a slightly fortuitous Ferrari 1-2 in the season-opening race in Bahrain after Sebastien Vettel’s Red Bull suffered a mechanical failure.
Alonso secured victory on his Ferrari debut after overcoming Vettel in the latter stages, who eventually finished fourth after a spark plug failure.
Vettel was in imperious form and was in control of the race until bad luck struck. He came across the radio to complain of a lack of power and was losing 5 seconds a lap at one stage, which ruined his afternoon.
He was overhauled by the Ferrair pair and 2008 champion Lewis Hamilton, who secured an unlikely podium. A podium he was very pleased with after a weekend of damage limitations for McLaren.
McLaren will be desperate to find some more pace from now till Australia to haul in the Ferrari’s and Red Bull’s and put themselves in contention for a race win.
For the Red Bull team it was a feeling of deja vu, who experienced familiar reliability problems last season. They will be desperately hoping their luck changes for the better from now till the end of the season or risk seeing another championship challenge slip away.
Despite the problems however, Vettel manage to hold off the challenge of Mercedes pair Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher late on to secure some well-deserved points.
Seven-time champion Schumacher finished behind his new team-mate on his racing return and was clearly unhappy after the race. The 41-year-old believes races this year will be decided on strategy and not on the race track, which is a sentiment partly shared amongst the paddock after a somewhat subdued season-opener.
However, the new format needs to be given time to show its maximise potential and it may well take a few races for teams and drivers to familiarise themselves with the new formula before more fighting intent is shown on the track.
Meanwhile, it was a solid if unspectacular start to the season for reigning world champion Jenson Button. The 30-year-old was off the pace throughout the race, and finished over 20 seconds behind team-mate Hamilton – he finished 7th to secure 6 points.
However, a cool Button claims he was being too conservative on his tyres, which he believes cost him time and places. Button will hope a pattern doesn’t emerge between himself and fellow Briton Hamilton, and will be pumped up for the next race in Australia.
The sister Red Bull of Mark Webber finished behind Button after the Briton jumped him in the pit-stop phase. A move which will have delighted McLaren and will have dampened Red Bull’s spirit after a weekend where a 1-2 may well have been possible for the Milton Keynes squad.
Whilst it is difficult and possibly foolish to make too many judgements and comparisons after one race – if the pattern remains the same for Melbourne in two weeks time – Ferrari and Red Bull are well matched at the front, with McLaren just behind them with Mercedes slightly trailing the Woking outfit.
Vitatonio Liuzzi and Rubens Barrichello secured points for Force India and Williams respectively and will be pleased to leave the Sakhir circuit with something to show their excellent efforts.
The battle of the new teams was won by Lotus, who won via reliability in the end. Both Virgin and Hispania cars retired in the race to leave the returning Lotus outfit early bragging rights.
Teams will now be working flat out at their respective factories to ensure they have the best package available for the trip to Melbourne, Australia.
Hamilton has edge over Button – Mansell
Former world champion Nigel Mansell has tipped Lewis Hamilton to come out on top in the all-British tussle at McLaren when the Formula 1 season starts this weekend.
Mansell believes 2008 champion Hamilton will have the edge over reigning champion Jenson Button because he’s used to the McLaren machine and knows how it works.
Mansell said: “I’d give Lewis the edge only because he’s been there (McLaren) for a few years.”
He feels Button will give his new team-mate a firm challenge over the season, but the 56-year-old thinks the Frome driver will have his work cut out early on.
“Jenson will settle down and hopefully prove what a great world champion he is and compete very strongly,” he claimed. “Jenson will take a few races to get up to speed with the car but after that they should have total parity,” he added.
After seeing seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher return to the cockpit in the winter, Mansell himself didn’t rule out a possible return to the sport.
When asked about a possible return, he said: “Never say die. If there’s a good Formula One seat, who knows? Why not, it would make a bit of history, wouldn’t it?”
Alonso finishes top on debut
Fernando Alonso made a perfect start to life at Ferrari by posting the fastest lap time of the week on the final day of the first test in Valencia.
It was the first time the Spaniard had got his hands on the wheel of the F10, which so far has proved fast throughout the three days. Alonso posted a 1m 11.470s in mid-afternoon and showed consistent times throughout. However, rival teams are taking these times with a pinch of salt due to the differing fuel tanks, tyres and track condition.
Despite the mystery, Ferrari can be pleased with their work this week after topping the time-sheets each day and reliability, so far, seems positive. Alonso and co will head to Jerez in a week’s time in bullish mood, confident of beating the Red Bull, which will make its long-anticipated debut.
Sauber rounded off an impressive debut test by taking second position, de la Rosa’s best time 0.6s off Alonso’s time. The C29 has looked in decent shape throughout the three days, although, Wednesday started on a sour note after the 38-year-old tangled with new-boy Nico Hulkenberg and had to spend over an hour in the garage whilst the team made changes.
After all the hype about Michael Schumacher’s return to the sport, the three days of testing was a bit more of a quiet affair. Schumacher’s team Mercedes, has not set any blistering times as of yet and were working on reliability, set-up and long runs.
Mercedes seem to be taking a more defensive approach with their drivers and their true pace is likely to be shown in next week’s test.
Another Spaniard had an encouraging day, Jaime Alguersuari produced the fourth quickest time and had a trouble-free day in the Toro Rosso. The youngster logged up 97 laps in his maiden test and will be hoping for more good fortune, which averted him in 2009 when he was thrown in the car mid-season without any testing.
World champion Jenson Button made a steady start to life at McLaren, this despite early setbacks with his race-seat being in the wrong position. The reigning champion posted the fifth-fastest time of the day, 1.5s short of the prancing horse.
Button admitted it had been a “tough day,” but he was optimistic of improvement and warned not to take times too seriously at this early stage of pre-season.
Vitaly Petrov made a good impression on his first day for Renault, taking sixth spot after some consistent runs. The Russian completed 75 laps in the R29 and was only a tenth behind Button when the session was halted.
Nico Hulkenberg brought up the tail on Williams debut, but, can be pleased with his day after wracking up 126 laps.
Testing resumes on the 10th February at Jerez.
Massa fastest again on Day 2
Felipe Massa continued to top the time-sheets on day 2 of the first test in Valencia, clocking a 1m 11.722s, 0.8s quicker than his best effort yesterday.
Massa produced his best lap on lap 15 but amounted 124 laps in sunny but cool Spain. Fernando Alonso takes over the car on Wednesday and it’ll be interesting where Alonso stands in comparison with Massa’s pace, although fuel loads are not released publicly, so times may have to be taken with a pinch of salt.
All the drivers completed over 100 laps yesterday, apart from Kamui Kobayashi, who completed 96 circuits in his impressive Sauber. The Japanese rookie, who is going taking part in his first full pre-season in Formula 1, posted the second fastest time of the day – 0.3s behind the F10.
Sauber have impressed so far in this test and it will be interesting if they can carry the form being shown throughout pre-season.
2008 world champion Lewis Hamilton had his first outing in the new McLaren and posted the third best lap time of the day, half-a-second off the pace. The Englishman said the car felt better than the 2009 car but it was too early to know where the team stands compared with their title rivals.
Hamilton hands the MP4-25 over to reigning world champion Jenson Button on Wednesday and it will be fascinating to see what Button can achieve on his McLaren debut.
Renault brought up the tail on Monday, but driver Robert Kubica shrugged it off, claiming the team was only doing system-checks. The Pole’s claim was backed up by an impressive performance on Tuesday, taking fourth place and only 0.2s behind the McLaren, despite doing long runs throughout the day.
Kubica’s day did end prematurely though after stopping in the pits five minutes from the end and consequently the red flag was deployed.
Nico Rosberg has had an uncomfortable start to life at Mercedes, after claims of unfair treatment towards Michael Schumacher were made by his former team-mate Rubens Barrichello. The Williams driver warned the young German to “get out as soon as possible.”
Rosberg said he wasn’t bothered by the claims and just wanted to concentrate on driving. He did have another problem after his seat was apparently 1.5cm too low, which resulted in little visibility.
The Mercedes took fifth place in the standings and Rosberg will hand over to Schumacher on the final day.
Williams revealed that Brazilian Barrichello was on long runs on Tuesday and their lowly position shouldn’t be taken too much notice of. The FW32 will be driven by rookie Nico Hulkenberg on the final day in Valencia.
The Toro Rosso, driven by Sebastien Buemi was rooted to the bottom of the time-sheets. However, the team will be encouraged with 107 trouble-free laps.
Testing concludes on Wednesday.
