Abu Dhabi – Day 3: Valsecchi puts Lotus into orbit

For the last day of the young driver tests held at the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi, it was the Lotus F1 team that ended the day on top, following McLaren and Red Bull. Davide Valsecchi, who hopes to secure a seat in F1 in 2013, led ahead of Kevin Magnussen (McLaren), Esteban Gutiérrez (Sauber), Robin Frijns (Red Bull), Oliver Turvey (McLaren), Luiz Razia (Toro Rosso), and Alexander Rossi (Caterham).

Valsecchi mainly focused on aerodynamic work with the continuation of the double DRS tests started yesterday by Edoardo Mortara. The Italian driver also worked on a tire program, which allowed him to test the various compounds provided by Pirelli. Valsecchi was the most diligent driver on the track with 86 laps covered, one more than Alexander Rossi at the wheel of the Caterham CT01.

At McLaren, the day was split between two drivers, as it has been for the past two days. Oliver Turvey drove in the morning, testing a new front wing, while Kevin Magnussen conducted tests in the afternoon to maximize the performance of the Pirelli tires. With these two half-days of testing, the Danish driver covered enough kilometers to qualify for an F1 Super License.

On the Sauber team side, Esteban Gutiérrez was driving for the second consecutive day and the Mexican carried out aerodynamic tests. He also tested several settings, including suspension, as well as new parts.

Robin Frijns was back on track today with Red Bull after running with Sauber on the first day of testing. The 2012 Formula Renault 3.5 champion conducted aerodynamic and mechanical tests as well as some performance-seeking stints.

At Toro Rosso, Luiz Razia was back in the STR7 after giving up his seat to Johnny Cecotto Jr yesterday. The Brazilian driver wasn’t at his best, suffering from a fever, but that didn’t stop him from completing 70 laps. The 2012 GP2 vice-champion notably tested new parts intended for the 2013 car.

In last place in the standings, we find Alexander Rossi, who was delighted to drive the Caterham. The American driver had already tested the CT01 in Barcelona last May, but this time, he got much more track time, making setup comparisons. However, due to a leak on his CT01, the Leafield-based team had to prematurely end Rossi’s day, preventing him from executing performance-based stints.

Taking into account all three days of testing that took place in Abu Dhabi, it was Kevin Magnussen who proved to be the fastest, on the first day with a lap completed in 1:42.661, just ahead of the 1:42.677 set by Valsecchi today and the 1:42.679 set by Antonio Felix da Costa driving the Red Bull yesterday.

Ranking of the third day of young drivers test 2012 in Abu Dhabi: