Date Tuesday 15 November 2011 Track Yas Marina Circuit Driver Sam Bird

No of Laps 53 laps Best Lap Time 1:43.548 Kms Covered 294 kms Track Length 5.554 kms

Weather Sunny

Two days after the 2011 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Formula One's Young DriverTest began at the Yas Marina Circuit this morning.GP2 driver Sam Bird is driving for MERCEDES GP PETRONAS at the test andhad the first of his three days in the car today.- The team ran 2011 Pirelli tyres throughout the day whilst working onsome development items for 2012- A transmission issue cost some running time in the morning, howeverthe lost time was recovered in the afternoon session- Having used the team's simulator extensively, Sam was quickly up tospeed, and showed impressive pace and consistency

- The team plan to start evaluating the 2012 Pirelli tyres tomorrowSam Bird"We did some good work today as the team began on-track preparations forthe 2012 season. It's fantastic to be behind the wheel of a Formula Onecar again, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself out there. I'm lookingforward to the next two days and making a contribution to the team'swork for 2012. Many thanks to MERCEDES GP PETRONAS for giving me thisopportunity."