Today was the first in-championship test of this year's Formula 1 season at the Bahrain International Circuit, with half of the entire driver lineup trying to put as many laps as possible under their belts.
The Mercedes-AMG Petronas team put Nico Rosberg behind the wheel of the innovative F1 W05 single-seater, with the German/Finnish driver managing to complete no less than 121 laps in total.
The reliability of the car wasn't the only thing to be glad about at the end of the day, as Nico's 1:35.697 best time also put him the first on the time sheets, with almost half a second between him and the second fastest driver.
Nico Rosberg: “Our main aim today was to try different directions with set-up and to get to know the tires a bit better. You never stop learning how to get the best out of the tires, so it has been a productive day from that perspective. We also did a bit of work on the brakes as this is an area I’m not one hundred percent happy with at the moment.
We’ve had a good few weeks on track but you are never at the maximum level of performance. There is always more to be found and we are constantly pushing to improve the car and also ourselves as drivers. Having said that, the team are doing a fantastic job with this car from every perspective. Reliability, car performance, Power Unit performance: it’s all there and it’s a pleasure to be a part of a team with such positive momentum.”
With 70 laps completed in the morning and a further 51 laps in the afternoon, the Mercedes-AMG W05 car proved to be both fast and reliable, but plenty more details about it will probably emerge after Lewis Hamilton will take the wheel tomorrow for the second and final day of the Bahrain test.
The reliability of the car wasn't the only thing to be glad about at the end of the day, as Nico's 1:35.697 best time also put him the first on the time sheets, with almost half a second between him and the second fastest driver.
Nico Rosberg: “Our main aim today was to try different directions with set-up and to get to know the tires a bit better. You never stop learning how to get the best out of the tires, so it has been a productive day from that perspective. We also did a bit of work on the brakes as this is an area I’m not one hundred percent happy with at the moment.
We’ve had a good few weeks on track but you are never at the maximum level of performance. There is always more to be found and we are constantly pushing to improve the car and also ourselves as drivers. Having said that, the team are doing a fantastic job with this car from every perspective. Reliability, car performance, Power Unit performance: it’s all there and it’s a pleasure to be a part of a team with such positive momentum.”
With 70 laps completed in the morning and a further 51 laps in the afternoon, the Mercedes-AMG W05 car proved to be both fast and reliable, but plenty more details about it will probably emerge after Lewis Hamilton will take the wheel tomorrow for the second and final day of the Bahrain test.