- First Barcelona Test - Day Two
Ricciardo on top after positive day for Red Bull
Daniel Ricciardo led the mileage count and the timing screen on the second day of this week's test in Barcelona as Red Bull recorded its most encouraging day of 2015 so far.
Red Bull has had a mixed start to the winter after issues with its Renault power unit but after starting his morning with a stoppage at the end of the pit lane, Ricciardo recorded 143 laps, including a full race simulation in the afternoon. Kimi Raikkonen continued Ferrari's habit of finishing the day in the upper reaches of the timing screens, but he did not manage any significantly long stints as Ricciardo or Mercedes did, accumulating 90 laps throughout the day.
Despite doubts about his fitness Nico Rosberg appeared for the world champions in the morning, completing 69 laps before lunch when he handed over Lewis Hamilton as a precaution so his neck could fully heal ahead of Sunday. Hamilton continued his good work in the afternoon with a race simulation - interrupted by red flags caused by Carlos Sainz in the Toro Rosso - which saw him clock 89 laps. It was further proof Mercedes is focusing on reliability rather than outright pace and a reminder there is more to testing than just headline times.
McLaren came into the day knowing it could be hampered by the faulty MGU-K seal which halted its running on Thursday, but Fernando Alonso was able to complete 59 laps - by far the most managed in one session by the MP4-30 this winter. The team will receive new parts from Honda tomorrow to rectify the problem fully and will resume a normal programme, though it is unlikely it will focus on performance until the third and final Barcelona test next week.
After an eventful opening day of testing in Barcelona, proceedings returned to a hint of normality with only one lengthily red flag delay for Carlos Sainz Jr when the rookie beached his Toro Rosso in the gravel at Turn 9. The incident did not hamper the rest of his afternoon as he returned to complete 100 laps overall. Marcus Ericsson put in a solid stint for Sauber, recording 113 laps as the team looked to make up lost time after Felipe Nasr's collision with Susie Wolff on Thursday. Ericsson's day ended with a late stoppage at the end of the pit lane, enough to trigger a short third and final red flag of the session.
Sergio Perez completed a full day for Force India in the 2014 car, completing 121 laps. Felipe Massa finished a rather quiet day from Williams with 88 laps to his name, though he did finish third overall.
Times:
1. Daniel Ricciardo Red Bull 1:24.574 143 laps 2. Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari 1:24.584 90 laps 3. Felipe Massa Williams 1:24.672 88 laps 4. Sergio Perez Force India 1:24.702 121 laps 5. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1:24.923 89 laps 6. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1:25.556 66 laps 7. Fernando Alonso McLaren 1:25.961 59 laps 8. Jolyon Palmer Lotus 1:26.280 77 laps 9. Marcus Ericsson Sauber 1:27.334 113 laps 10. Carlos Sainz Jr Toro Rosso 1:28.945 100 laps
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