Abu Dhabi – Day 2: Felix da Costa puts Red Bull on top
The Red Bull Racing team proved to be the fastest today in Abu Dhabi for the second day of young driver testing, with Portuguese driver Antonio Felix da Costa putting the RB8 at the top of the timesheet.
Antonio Felix da Costa piloted the Red Bull RB8 for the second consecutive day in Abu Dhabi, and the Portuguese driver was the fastest of the day with a lap time of 1:42.679. In fact, he was the only driver to clock in under the 1 minute 43 seconds mark today.
Behind Felix da Costa, we find Oliver Turvey at the wheel of the McLaren, Edoardo Mortara, who was driving the Lotus, Esteban Gutiérrez (Sauber), Gary Paffett (McLaren), Johnny Cecotto Jr (Toro Rosso), and Giedo Van der Garde (Caterham).
The most diligent on track was Gutiérrez, who covered 94 laps during this second day of testing. The Mexican driver conducted aerodynamic tests and tire tests like Robin Frijns did yesterday.
On the Red Bull side, the same program as yesterday with aerodynamic and tire tests, as well as tests of new parts. At McLaren, both drivers tested aerodynamic developments, notably with a new front wing. Turvey and Paffett ran to assess tire degradation with these new elements.
On the Lotus side, Edoardo Mortara was called upon to carry out aerodynamic tests, including tests of the double DRS. The Franco-Italian driver, born in Switzerland, also tested several solutions for the E20’s settings.
At Toro Rosso, Johnny Cecotto Jr conducted aerodynamic tests and the Venezuelan also had the opportunity to test some new developments introduced by the Faenza team. Lastly, at Caterham, Giedo Van der Garde continued the work done yesterday by conducting aerodynamic tests, testing various setups with different tires in particular.
These Abu Dhabi young driver tests will conclude tomorrow, with Red Bull handing over from Felix da Costa to Robin Frijns. At Lotus, reigning GP2 champion Davide Valsecchi will follow Mortara, while at Toro Rosso, Luiz Razia will return to the cockpit of the STR7. At Sauber, Gutiérrez will continue for a second day, at Caterham, Van der Garde will make way for Alexander Rossi, and at McLaren, Turvey will return in the MP4-27 for half a day, with Kevin Magnussen also driving for half a day.
Ranking of the second day of young driver tests 2012 in Abu Dhabi:
| N° | Driver | Team | Times | Gap | Laps |
1 | Antonio Felix da Costa | Red Bull Racing | 1:42.679 | 62 | |
2 | Oliver Turvey | McLaren Mercedes | 1:43.176 | +0.497 | 62 |
3 | Edoardo Mortara | Lotus F1 Team | 1:43.418 | +0.739 | 75 |
4 | Esteban Guttiérez | Sauber F1 Team | 1:43.485 | +0.806 | 94 |
5 | Gary Paffett | McLaren Mercedes | 1:43.771 | +1.092 | 41 |
6 | Johnny Cecotto Jr | Scuderia Toro Rosso | 1:44.569 | +1.890 | 76 |
7 | Giedo Van der Garde | Caterham F1 Team | 1:45.106 | +2.427 | 72 |
