Alonso burns rubber in pre-season show down
Former two-time world champion Fernando Alonso gave gas in his new Ferrari to clock the best time on the third day of pre-season Formula One testing at the Catalunya circuit on Thursday.
The Spaniard had taken a rain check on the first four-day session in Jerez earlier in February, but he continued to demonstrate he had lost none of his sharpness over the winter by piloting his Ferrari to a best time of 1min 21.875 seconds off a total of 97 laps.
Nico Hulkenberg, in a Sauber, came in second fastest with 1min 22.160 seconds while French Lotus-pilot Romain Grosjean, notched up the third best time of 1min 22.188 seconds off 119 laps.
Alonso, the runner-up to Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel last season, improved his time from Tuesday by a second and was just a coat of paint or two off the week's best time of 1min 21.848 seconds set by Sergio Perez in the McLaren on Wednesday.
"The track was a lot colder than yesterday, especially in the morning. That made it more difficult to find the right level of grip," said Alonso.
"Tyre management will be crucial this season; they are softer and faster, but they also degrade a lot faster."
Germany's Adrian Sutil, competing with Frenchman Jules Bianchi for the only drive left this season -- with Force India - was eighth fastest.
Sutil, out of the sport for 15 months, improved by a second the best Force India time of the week so far set by Paul di Resta.
"This team knows me well because I spent six years with them," said Sutil.
"I wanted to show them that I am still quick and that was very important. I can sleep peacefully. I have done all I can to get back into F1. I don't know who is the favourite for the drive, it's up to Force India to decide."
The new season opens in Melbourne, Australia on March 17.
Comments
See Also
The Spaniard had taken a rain check on the first four-day session in Jerez earlier in February, but he continued to demonstrate he had lost none of his sharpness over the winter by piloting his Ferrari to a best time of 1min 21.875 seconds off a total of 97 laps.
Nico Hulkenberg, in a Sauber, came in second fastest with 1min 22.160 seconds while French Lotus-pilot Romain Grosjean, notched up the third best time of 1min 22.188 seconds off 119 laps.
Alonso, the runner-up to Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel last season, improved his time from Tuesday by a second and was just a coat of paint or two off the week's best time of 1min 21.848 seconds set by Sergio Perez in the McLaren on Wednesday.
"The track was a lot colder than yesterday, especially in the morning. That made it more difficult to find the right level of grip," said Alonso.
"Tyre management will be crucial this season; they are softer and faster, but they also degrade a lot faster."
Germany's Adrian Sutil, competing with Frenchman Jules Bianchi for the only drive left this season -- with Force India - was eighth fastest.
Sutil, out of the sport for 15 months, improved by a second the best Force India time of the week so far set by Paul di Resta.
"This team knows me well because I spent six years with them," said Sutil.
"I wanted to show them that I am still quick and that was very important. I can sleep peacefully. I have done all I can to get back into F1. I don't know who is the favourite for the drive, it's up to Force India to decide."
The new season opens in Melbourne, Australia on March 17.
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.