Several teams are at the Jerez de la Frontera circuit for what has beendesignated a ‘young driver test’, a measure introduced as a result of the ban onin-season testing. Red Bull Racing is fielding this year’s British Formula 3Champion and Red Bull Junior Driver, Daniel Ricciardo.

Although the Australian suffered a spin early on in today’s testing, he was soonback on track and ended the day with the fourth fastest time. “I don’t think Istopped smiling all day,” he said after the session was over. “Working with theteam was great and they let me go at my own pace until I built up someconfidence. After that, we began working on things that will be useful for nextseason. This was the first time I’ve ever driven a Formula One car round corners,having previously only done a straight line test and I have to say, it’s got moregrip than anything else I’ve ever driven.”

The team was impressed with Daniel’s first drive and, as he seems to havesurvived the physical demands of a day in the cockpit of a Formula One car, heshould be back in action tomorrow, when the testing continues.