Daniel Ricciardo mixes it up with the records
Daniel Ricciardo (ISR) upped the pace here today at the Motorland Aragn circuit by bettering the Formula Renault 3.5 Series track record twice in succession. By proving he was the fastest over these two days of collective testing, the Australian has sent out a clear message to the competition. With sixteen drivers all placed within the space of a single second today, it seems to go without saying that things will be fought out tooth-and-nail this season!
There were two changes to the list of entrants for the second day of Formula Renault 3.5 Series collective testing at the Motorland Aragn circuit. Today, Sergio Canamasas took his place behind the wheel of one of the Epsilon Euskadi cars. At BVM Target, with Daniel Zampieri, who has been taken ill, still absent, the Angolan driver Ricardo Teixeira took the place of Davide Rigon in the Italian team's other car.
Brendon Hartley (Gravity Charouz) and Albert Costa (Epsilon Euskadi) went out hardest at the start of the session, holding the top spots between them for most of the early running. It was then the turn of Nathanal Berthon (ISR), penalized as a result of a brake problem yesterday, to move to the top of the time sheet, followed by Stphane Richelmi (International Draco Racing), who made his presence felt with a lap in 143580. But, before the first hour of the session was even up, Daniel Ricciardo had already gained the upper hand over his rivals with a lap in 143023.
Only today the drivers seemed determined not to let Daniel Ricciardo lay down the law. Alexander Rossi (Fortec Motorsport) was the first to knock the Australian off top spot, with a lap in 143008 and Brendon Hartley moved into second as a result. The New Zealander then capitalized on his momentum to set the fastest time. With a lap completed in 142929, he improved on the time set yesterday by Daniel Ricciardo. But the Australian was quick to hit back. With laps in 142860, 142401, 142237 the number three Red Bull Racing F1 Team driver put together a series of very quick laps, beating the Motorland Aragn Formula Renault 3.5 Series track record twice in the process! This left him fastest at the end of the morning session ahead of Alexander Rossi and Albert Costa.
The last session was a more considered affair, before it came to the final rush. Several teams opted to conduct a race simulation before switching onto a last set of fresh tyres and then heading off for the forthcoming Formula Renault 3.5 Series collective tests in Barcelona. Jan Charouz (Gravity Charouz Racing) was fastest for most of the afternoon before Daniel Ricciardo had his say in proceedings. Though he was not as quick as he had been in the morning, the ISR driver once again ended the session in top spot, with a lap in 142311. Csar Ramos and Robert Wickens were the other two drivers to make up the top three.
Formula Renault 3.5 will be back for more collective testing as of next Tuesday in Barcelona.
Quotes:
Daniel Ricciardo: "Yesterday, it was my first day working with the ISR team, so we had a few things to sort out. Everything went quite well for us today. I like the way ISR works a lot. They don't send me out on track just to get some laps in, but every time we analyse a whole host of settings very closely. This year I really want to win the title! It is the only thing on my mind and we are going to do everything we can to make it come true."
Cesar Ramos: "I did two days of tests in Formula Renault 3.5 Series at the end of 2010, at this very same circuit, but that was the last time that I drove this car. We are satisfied with the level of performance, especially as the field is unbelievably competitive. We have been working well together with Alexander Rossi, and we are both quick, which is a good sign for the future. We will do a race simulation in Barcelona, which is something I'm really looking forward to, as it should be an interesting experience."
Kevin Korjus: At the moment, Im still finding my bearings. We followed our running schedule and I am feeling more and more comfortable with the car. I started to do a race simulation this afternoon, but unfortunately I had a clutch problem. I need to make progress in the use of fresh tyres, but, overall, I am satisfied with my times and pleased to finish in the top 10."
