Nico Hulkenberg gets a head-start on his 2010 F1 rivals today as he makes his first testing appearance for Williams since being confirmed as a Grand Prix driver next year.
The F1 rookies will be back on track in Jerez today with several new faces joining them including Mirko Bortolotti and Lucas di Grassi.
Today’s testing line-up
BMW – Esteban Gutierrez (MEX)
Brawn GP (Mercedes) – Mike Conway (GBR) and Marcus Ericsson (SWE)
Ferrari – Jules Bianchi (FRA)
Force India – Paul di Resta (GBR) and JR Hildebrand (USA)
McLaren – Gary Paffett (GBR)
Red Bull – Daniel Ricciardo (AUS)
Renault – Ho-Pin Tung (CHN) and Lucas di Grassi (BRZ)
Toro Rosso – Mirko Bortolotti (ITA)
Williams – Nico Hulkenberg (GER)
For more information on these drivers and the others who will be testing this week see here: F1 rookies test: Guide to the drivers
How to follow testing live
Thanks to Katy who posted the following links to live coverage:
Motor 21 (Translated English version)
F1 Today (Translated English version)
Some of the drivers have Twitter accounts which you can find in the F1 Twitter directory.
As ever, please share updates on the action below.
Yesterday’s fastest times
1. Andy Soucek, Williams, 1:19.158, 87 laps
2. Paul Di Resta, Force India, 1:19.369, 46 laps
3. Gary Paffett, McLaren, 1:19.426, 54 laps
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull, 1:19.534, 113 laps
5. Jules Bianchi, Ferrari, 1:19.626 91, laps
6. Mike Conway, Brawn-Mercedes, 1:19.920, 58 laps
7. Alexander Rossi, BMW Sauber, 1:20.227, 82 laps
8. Marcus Ericsson, Brawn-Mercedes, 1:20.333, 50 laps
9. Bertrand Baguette, Renault, 1:20.511, 105 laps
10. JR Hildebrand, Force India, 1:20.537, 49 laps
11. Oliver Turvey, McLaren, 1:20.856 27, laps
12. Brendon Hartley, Toro Rosso, 1:21.325, 69 laps
Times from today’s test
1. Gary Paffett, McLaren-Mercedes, 1:18.718, 80 laps
2. Nico Hulkenberg, Williams-Toyota, 1:19.184, 94 laps
3. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull-Renault, 1:19.243, 92 laps
4. Paul Di Resta, Force India-Mercedes, 1:19.411, 58 laps
5. Esteban Gutierrez, BMW, 1:20.190, 68 laps
6. Mike Conway, Brawn-Mercedes, 1:20.222, 83 laps
7. Marcus Ericsson, Brawn-Mercedes, 1:20.440, 37 laps
8. JR Hildebrand, Force India-Mercedes, 1:20.517, 49 laps
9. Jules Bianchi, Ferrari, 1:20.586, 113 laps
10. Lucas Di Grassi, Renault, 1:20.898, 54 laps
11. Ho-Pin Tung, Renault, 1:21.492, 67 laps
12. Mirko Bortolotti, Toro Rosso-Ferrari, 1:21.761, 79 laps
Pictures from today’s test
2010 F1 testing
Remco
2nd December 2009, 9:25
If I’m not mistaking Ho Pin-Tung will be driving the morning session @ Renault
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
2nd December 2009, 9:57
Indeed he is – have updated it.
sushant008
2nd December 2009, 9:38
10:20 am Provisional time sheet:
1. E. E. Gutiérrez (MEX/BMW-Sauber) 1:21.816-08v Gutierrez (MEX / BMW-Sauber) 1:21.816-08V
2. P. P. Di Resta (GB/Force India) 1:22.038-14v Di Resta (GB / Force India) 1:22.038-14v
3. H. H. Tung (CHN/Renault) 1:23.021-26v Tung (CHN / Renault) 1:23.021-26v
4. M. M. Conway (GB/BrawnGP) 1:23.133-22v Conway (GB / BrawnGP) 1:23.133-22v
5. N. N. Hulkenberg (ALE/Williams) 1:23.350-15v Hulkenberg (GER / Williams) 1:23.350-15v
6. J. J. Bianchi (FRA/Ferrari) 1:24.126-16v Bianchi (FRA / Ferrari) 1:24.126-16v
7. M. M. Bortolotti (ITA/Toro Rosso) 1:31.432-08v Bortolotti (ITA / Toro Rosso) 1:31.432-08V
8. G. G. Paffet (GB/McLaren) 1:38.356-06v Paffett (GB / McLaren) 1:38.356-06V
9. D. D. Ricciardo (AUS/Red Bull) sin tiempo-09v Ricciardo (AUS / Red Bull) without time-09V
JV
2nd December 2009, 9:40
Guys we have already entered 1.19s
Riccardo 1:19.485
vettelfan
2nd December 2009, 16:35
Paffett entered the 1.18s a while ago too.
Chaz
2nd December 2009, 10:33
I’m a little surprised at Hartley’s lack of pace especially considering some of the fuss around him…
Prisoner Monkeys
2nd December 2009, 10:46
Fun fact: Ho-Pin Tung is testing for Renault. He is managed by sports agency Gravity, who are closely associated – though I cannot say with any confidence as to how closely they are connected – to a group known as the Mangrove Investment Group.
This is important to note because a prominent figure in Mangrove is a German investor named Gerard Lopez, and I believe Lopez is actually the connecion between Gravity and Mangrove. The articles I’ve read on the subject certainly suggest as much.
Now, back when rumours of Renault’s imminent withdrawal were starting up, Bernie Ecclestone confirmed that he had spoken at the Brazilian Grand Prix with an organisation looking to purchase a team, but did not know of any that were for sale. At the same time, reports started to emerge that a group of Russians with connections to Renault’s sponsor MegaFon were looking to buy – at the very least – a controlling stake in the team. The Russians had the backing of a German investor, and if you’ve been reading this post in its entirety, it’s going to come as no surprise that the name of that investor was Gerard Lopez.
Here’s the short version: Ho-Pin Tung tests for Renault, a team that was connected to a buy-out funded by a man who is said to be tight with the sports agency Ho-Pin is managed by.
That (if true) is a very big coincidence. Almost too big …
Nitpicker
2nd December 2009, 10:51
Mangrove Investment Group wouldn’t be the Brawn sponsors MIG would it?
Prisoner Monkeys
2nd December 2009, 11:11
Nope, that’s MIGfx. They’re a Swiss bunch more involved in stock market trading.
Steph90
2nd December 2009, 11:19
PM your knowledge in this area never fails to astound. Thanks
:)
Patrickl
2nd December 2009, 11:57
This rumour was yesterday on the GMM feed. For instance here:
http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/news/detail/091201151531.shtml
Pete Walker
2nd December 2009, 19:04
Dude how do you always figure all this stuff out?? :)
Clever boy, that one.
ajokay
2nd December 2009, 11:05
Just for a point of reference, can anyone remember what the best lap(s) were from last January’s Jerez testing session?
loCCan
2nd December 2009, 12:31
GPupdate has some times from January-March 2009…no info on weather etc but it’s something.
http://f1.gpupdate.net/en/test-sessions/
ajokay
2nd December 2009, 12:51
So the fastest of the newbies are about a second off the fastest lap times from Jerez in March.
Tengil
2nd December 2009, 11:09
Hint: update the F1 Today link to http://www.f1today.nl/live-update/2009/12/02/circuito-de-jerez/
Too bad the test sessions aren’t covered better, with so few of them they could be made real events.
(Go Marcus!)
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
2nd December 2009, 11:23
Done, thanks!
Steph90
2nd December 2009, 11:25
Agree.
In Britain it’s a shame BBC don’t cover it here in Britain after the effort they went to with forums etc I thought they might.
Ben
2nd December 2009, 11:37
large cost little reward.
They would need to set up their own cameras, outside broadcast equipment, on-screen and off-screen staffing, onscreen graphics etc. And get very little reward for it. Viewership would be rock bottom. Just becuase you want to watch it doesn’t mean everyone does. To most people this is absolutely meaningless and it would be dreadfully boring. That includes a lot of F1 fans, at most they might flick on for a few minutes at a time just to see the standings and then go back to something else.
And commentary of a testing session would be seriously hard on the presenters.
Steph90
2nd December 2009, 12:03
Yeah that is true suppose but could have done a little feature or something. Maybe not for rookie tests but for seeing the 2010 cars
sato113
2nd December 2009, 15:31
they’re not 2010 cars tho.
Steph90
2nd December 2009, 17:20
aah yes sorry Sato one of my ‘dizzy’ moments :P
Jraybay-Lewismclarenfan
2nd December 2009, 17:31
Lol… Formula 1 always puts me at a shortness of breath. I know the ‘dizzy’ feeling ;^P . I would love to see the 2010 chassis too. When they are ready for the public eye I’m sure this site will have it a.s.a.p : D .
Ned Flanders
2nd December 2009, 13:58
I think only the 1% of the most fanatical F1 followers would want to sit down and watch a day of testing. I love F1, but even I have no real interest in actually watching this test
steph
2nd December 2009, 20:28
I would watch every second of the test. Even if they just decided to send Badoer out on his own
Ciaran
2nd December 2009, 21:56
I would, it would keep me excited for the next season!
James"Troll" Allen
3rd December 2009, 4:13
Steph & ciaran are trolls :D :D There are more important things than F1.
Example: cooking tuna fish, washing wife’s lingerie, cleaning house,mowing the lawn & finally sleeping :D
Steph90
2nd December 2009, 11:28
Oh and for Ned igf he’s on today as he said he liked funny translations
“The session has just stopped for the reason therefor and listens to the name Andy Soucek. ”
Marcus Ericsson is still boarded by Brawn / Mercedes GP. De Zweed moest lange tijd toekijken hoe Mike Conway de testwerkzaamheden uitvoerde, maar de laatste anderhalf uur zijn voor de Japans Formule 3-kampioen. The Swede had long been watching Mike Conway the test work performed, but the last half hour for the Japanese Formula 3 champion.
Peace and tranquility are temporarily returned to the Circuito de Jerez”
:p
Very grateful google translate exists but half the time I need a translator to work it out! I’m beginning to regret not taking language studies further.
Ned Flanders
2nd December 2009, 14:08
Dutch is actually supposed to be the most similar foreign language to English, so it shouldn’t take too much effort to learn it. I don’t see the similarities though- Dutch looks nearly as complicated as Russian to me…
Here’s a couple more I found:
Steph90
2nd December 2009, 14:22
lol!
The weather sounds scary…
Tengil
2nd December 2009, 15:28
Too bad we don’t have a video feed :)
Steph90
2nd December 2009, 14:23
Ferrari signs Bianchi for long term deal in undefined role.
Icthyes
2nd December 2009, 14:30
Just saw it too
Interesting is this speculation:
Ferrari really need to clear house!
rmac923
2nd December 2009, 14:42
It isn’t that bad in reality. Gene is more focused in Le Mans and something tells me Badoer isn’t getting re-signed when his contract runs up :)
Jose Arellano
2nd December 2009, 14:59
come on esteban.. viva mexicooo!
rfs
2nd December 2009, 15:35
Bianchi seems to be spending a lot of time at the bottom of the time sheets in the Ferrari.
Steph90
2nd December 2009, 16:15
Thing is I don’t know how much we can take from these tests. The Ferrari was a very hard car to drive and that was highlighted by Fisi.
rfs
2nd December 2009, 16:50
I just saw the final times and he finished 9th. Which isn’t too bad compared to the other rookies.
Deurmat
2nd December 2009, 15:46
sjees i the linking here :@
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=nl&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fsporza.be%2Fcm%2Fsporza%2Fauto_motor%2FF1%2F091202_baguette_leinders
maybe just copy and paste it
the link test
vettelfan
2nd December 2009, 16:43
Final Times from 2nd day of testing:
1. G.Paffett – McLaren – 1:18.718
2. N.Hulkenberg – Willams – 1:19.184
3. D.Ricciardo – RBR – 1:19.243
4. P.di Resta – Force India – 1:19.411
5. E.Gutierrez – BMW – 1:20.190
6. M.Conway – Brawn GP – 1:20.222
7. M.Ericsson – Brawn GP – 1:20.440
8. J.Hildebrand – Force India – 1:20.517
9. J.Bianchi – Ferrari – 1:20.585
10. L.Di Grassi – Renault – 1.20.898
11. H.Tung – Renault – 1:21.492
12. M.Bortolotti – Toro Rosso – 1:21.761
George
2nd December 2009, 17:58
Interesting how the Williams are up the top of the time sheets on both days, maybe the car was better than it looked.
Derek
2nd December 2009, 19:59
P.di Resta is very good.
James_mc
2nd December 2009, 20:36
I’d expect to see Parffett at the top of the sheets in a McLaren. Would like to see him and Di Resta (especially the latter) get a race seat next season
Dane
2nd December 2009, 21:13
Go the Aussies!
Terry Fabulous
3rd December 2009, 1:56
Dan Ricciardo is doing a sensational job for a man driving his second day in an F1 car. The guys in front of him have spent a lot longer behind the wheel.
Wow
Aaron
3rd December 2009, 2:55
the guy is a real talent…expect him to do mighty things in F1 once he get there…
He kinda puts Hartley to shame…and Hartley is suppose to be next in line…well untill Ricko cam along…
Philip Gamble
2nd December 2009, 23:41
Presumably these are the 2009 spec cars?
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
3rd December 2009, 0:40
Yep they are, though where they’re testing new parts they’ll be with 2010 in mind.
Aaron
3rd December 2009, 3:05
If you look at the Red Bull pics they have no wheel covers on at some pics…also noted a new front wing…also they have flex testing? mechanism on…can see how much the car flexing on corner in one of the pics.
Aaron
3rd December 2009, 3:10
also a new shark fin on the RBR
wasiF1
3rd December 2009, 1:53
It is a great oppourtinity for Nico to use this testing & get himself race prepared for 2010.
Brian
3rd December 2009, 3:08
Can someone please tell me why Robert Wickens was not chosen to get a test?!
I need a Canadian driver to cheer for!
sato113
3rd December 2009, 3:17
looks like williams and mclaren have the best cars here.
sushant008
3rd December 2009, 5:01
are they using 2010 spec. tyres?