Silverstone Test Day 2: Ricciardo fastest… and third fastest

Daniel Ricciardo was third fastest in the Red Bull (pictured) but quickest in the Toro Rosso on day two at Silverstone

Daniel Ricciardo’s name featured twice in the top three, on the timing sheets, at the end of the second day of the Formula 1 Young Drivers Test at Silverstone.

The Australian, who was on duty for Toro Rosso in the morning and after lunch in the cockpit of the Red Bull, ended the day fastest of all with a time of 1:32.972 in the Toro Rosso STR8, ironically faster than his best in the world championship leading Red Bull RB9 in which he was third quickest on the day.

Ricciardo’s stint in the Red Bull got off to an inauspicious start as he ended in the gravel trap after losing control at Luffield, and with it forcing a red flag stoppage as the beached car was retrieved to the pits.

The Australian summed up his day, “It was good today but very busy, so it’s still a bit of a blur. I did quite a few laps this afternoon, so I’m happy with that. I had a small off but otherwise it was a trouble-free day. The off was my mistake, I just lost the rear on the entry. It was a good opportunity to get behind the wheel and experience two different beasts today.”

Carlos Sainz Jr was second fastest in the Toro Rosso, here he leads Ferrari’s davide Rigon

Splitting the ‘Ricciardos’ was Carlos Sainz Junior who was second fastest in the Toro Rosso which he took over from Ricciardo in the afternoon. If there were a ‘driver of the day’ award it would go to the son of the rally legend Carlos Sainz (of senior variety) who was thoroughly impressive in this his first Formula 1 test. In essence it was a Toro Rosso one-two at the top of the timing screens.

Also on duty for Red Bull, in the morning session, was Antonio Felix da Costa who was seventh fastest after having set the best time 24 hours earlier, on the opening day.

Davide Valsecchi had a radio malfunction early on in the day and was oblivious to pit signals indicating that he should return to the garage. Eventually he did and went on to enjoy his first full day of testing for Lotus, evaluating tyres and aero related tests. He completed 91 laps and set the fourth best time in the process.

Oliver Turvey was fifth fastest int he McLaren, ahead of fellow Briton James Calado who had his second outing in two days in the Force India. He did the morning stint before handing over to Paul di Resta who was 14th fastest at the end of an afternoon spent in race simulation mode with the new Pirelli offerings bolted on to the VJM06.

Davide Valsecchi Lotus E21

Davide Rigon completed the second most laps, with 97, on his lap chart for Ferrari.

Williams had regular driver Pastor Maldonado on duty in the morning session evaluating the new Pirelli tyres, with Daniel Juncadella taking over the cockpit in the afternoon. They ended the day 9th and 11th respectively.

Splitting the Williams pair on the final timing sheets in 10th was Sauber regular Nico Hulkenberg who took over the C32 from Robin Frijns who drove during the morning stanza. He was 12th fastest, but blotted his copy book by spinning and losing track time.

Enjoying his first ever Formula 1 test was Will Stevens who took the opportunity to rack up more laps than anyone on the day (98) at the wheel of the Caterham.

Will Stevens Caterham CT03

Rodolfo Gonzalez had the Marussia all to himself on the second day, but was slowest of all when the chequered flag brought the day to a close, however he did manage 92 laps.

The final day of the test takes place on Friday when world champion Sebastian Vettel is expected to turn out for Red Bull, and Felipe Massa on duty for Ferrari.

Silverstone Young Drivers Test, Day 2 – Thursday, 18 July 2013

(GP247)

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