Today was the final day of the first in-season Formula 1 test of 2014 at the Bahrain International Circuit, with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas team putting Lewis Hamilton behind the wheel of the W05 single-seater.
With his team mate, Nico Rosberg, managing to score the fastest lap time on the time sheets yesterday, it comes as no surprise that Lewis did the very same thing today.
The major difference came in the fact that Lewis not only achieved the best lap time of the day, but of the entire two-day testing session, while also being over a second faster than Jean-Eric Vergne from Toro Rosso, who was in second position on the time sheet.
Despite this, it seems that the Mercedes-AMG Petronas team mostly focused on tire testing for Pirelli in today's session.
Lewis Hamilton: “It’s been a long day, running lap after lap to analyze the tires but driving a Formula One car is never boring. Of course, the nature of a tyre test means we haven’t learnt anything in particular in terms of improving the car but it’s useful for Pirelli and therefore useful to us in the long term.
They just gave me different sets and I told them how each felt. The plan was just to get in as many laps as we could. The times mean nothing as everyone had their own programs to run. It’s been a fantastic few weeks for the team but also a long stint away, so I’m sure everyone is looking forward to heading back home for a well-deserved rest. Of course, it’s a short turnaround before China so I’ll be in the factory to work on ways we can improve.”
With the first in-season test now over and all the Mercedes-Benz hybrid power units from all the teams completing a total of 3204 km (1991 miles) in two days and without any major problems, it is safe to assume that at least the pre-season reliability worries are a thing of the past.
The next F1 race will take place in China, at Shanghai, and the Silver Arrows are expected to keep their fabulous momentum from this season's first three events.
The major difference came in the fact that Lewis not only achieved the best lap time of the day, but of the entire two-day testing session, while also being over a second faster than Jean-Eric Vergne from Toro Rosso, who was in second position on the time sheet.
Despite this, it seems that the Mercedes-AMG Petronas team mostly focused on tire testing for Pirelli in today's session.
Lewis Hamilton: “It’s been a long day, running lap after lap to analyze the tires but driving a Formula One car is never boring. Of course, the nature of a tyre test means we haven’t learnt anything in particular in terms of improving the car but it’s useful for Pirelli and therefore useful to us in the long term.
They just gave me different sets and I told them how each felt. The plan was just to get in as many laps as we could. The times mean nothing as everyone had their own programs to run. It’s been a fantastic few weeks for the team but also a long stint away, so I’m sure everyone is looking forward to heading back home for a well-deserved rest. Of course, it’s a short turnaround before China so I’ll be in the factory to work on ways we can improve.”
With the first in-season test now over and all the Mercedes-Benz hybrid power units from all the teams completing a total of 3204 km (1991 miles) in two days and without any major problems, it is safe to assume that at least the pre-season reliability worries are a thing of the past.
The next F1 race will take place in China, at Shanghai, and the Silver Arrows are expected to keep their fabulous momentum from this season's first three events.