• Young driver testing

Soucek tops times on day one at Jerez

ESPNF1 Staff
December 1, 2009 « Hartley and Ricciardo struggle in Spain | »
Soucek went quickest in the Williams © Sutton Images
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Andy Soucek topped the times for Williams during the first day of young driver testing at the Jerez Circuit in Spain.

The teams used the test to evaluate drivers who have competed in two grand prix or less. Soucek was driving for Williams as his prize for winning the Formula 2 championship this year, and despite a spin in the afternoon, he never dropped out of the top four runners.

Paul di Resta was second quickest in the Force India as he aimed to secure the position of test driver for the team. He took the car over from JR Hildebrand at lunchtime and went over a second faster than the American in just 46 laps.

Gary Paffett, the most experienced driver in the field, was third on the time sheets driving for McLaren. He handed the car over to Oliver Turvey who was testing for the team as part of his prize for winning the 2006 BRDC young driver of the year award - he finished 11th overall.

The biggest accident of the day came when Toro Rosso driver Brendon Hartley spun and crashed heavily into the barrier - losing a wheel and a front wing in the process. Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull) swerved to avoid Hartley and ended up beaching his car in the gravel. Ricciardo went on to set the fourth fastest time while Hartley had to wait for his car to be repaired but could only manage the slowest time of the group.

"Apart from going off the track early on, I was generally happy with the way the day went, as I had not driven an F1 car for a while," he said. "So now I'm looking forward to making the best of Thursday when I get another run."

Mercedes made its first appearance as a full team since 1955, running last year's championship winning Brawn car for Mike Conway and Marcus Ericsson. Conway finished sixth fastest, slower than the Ferrari of Jules Bianchi, while Ericsson was eighth fastest behind Alexander Rossi in the BMW.

Bertrand Baguette was driving for Renault, having won the Renault 3.5 series earlier this year, finished over a second off the pace after 105 laps. The test continues over December 2-3 when many of the teams will give a chance to more new faces.

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