Abu Dhabi Testing – Day 1: Bottas Leads Räikkönen, Blank Day for McLaren-Honda
The first day of private testing in Abu Dhabi saw Valtteri Bottas' Williams finish at the top of the timesheets, ahead of Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) and Nico Rosberg (Mercedes). Stoffel Vandoorne and his McLaren-Honda managed only three laps in the middle of the afternoon.
Leader during the morning, Valtteri Bottas retained the lead at the end of the first day of private testing in Abu Dhabi.
The fourth place finisher of the 2014 championship set his time on super-soft tires 15 minutes before the end of the session. Note that Pirelli is testing tires at the Yas Marina circuit intended for next season.
The “Finnish Connection” is in form this Tuesday as Kimi Räikkönen follows in the Ferrari F14-T, observed all morning by his future teammate, Sebastian Vettel. In third position is Nico Rosberg: the vice world champion didn’t waste time and completed 114 laps, the highest total of the day.
Outside of the timing sheet, it should be noted that the Honda-powered McLaren MP4-29H was absent, only doing three short laps in the middle of the afternoon, resulting in a red flag when it stopped on track two hours before the end of the session. Stoffel Vandoorne will return to the wheel tomorrow, hoping that the issues will be resolved so he can drive.
More information to follow…
| N° | Driver | Team | Times | Gap | Laps |
1 | Bottas | Williams Martini Racing | 1:43.396 | 80 | |
2 | Räikkönen | Scuderia Ferrari | 1:43.888 | +0.492 | 80 |
3 | Rosberg | Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team | 1:44.512 | +1.116 | 114 |
4 | Palmer | Sahara Force India F1 Team | 1:44.516 | +1.120 | 36 |
5 | Sainz Jr | Infiniti Red Bull Racing | 1:45.339 | +1.943 | 99 |
6 | Stevens | Caterham F1 Team | 1:45.436 | +2.040 | 101 |
7 | Pic | Lotus F1 Team | 1:46.167 | +2.771 | 88 |
8 | Ericsson | Sauber F1 Team | 1:46.253 | +2.857 | 95 |
9 | Verstappen | Scuderia Toro Rosso | 1:47.194 | +3.798 | 55 |
10 | Vandoorne | McLaren Honda | 3 |
