Jerez: Ferrari surprises, Red Bull and McLaren slip

Lap times are of little importance during winter testing, but the pace associated with the reliability of the F1 offers a first set of clues about the potential of the participants. In this game, it's here Team Ferrari which created the pleasant surprise by setting the best time on three of the four days (the last going to the Sauber powered by the Maranello Power Unit).

The Italian 6l V1.6 turbo/hybrid proved to be both reliable and efficient, even if these results will have to be verified during the next sessions. Kimi Räikkönen in any case had the honor of setting the best time of the week with a lap completed in 1'20"841, or around 2"5 better than the reference achieved last year by the McLaren MP4-29 from Kevin Magnussen (1'23"276).

SI Mercedes F1 admitted to being surprised by the Scuderia's performance, the reigning world champion team focused on reliability of the W06 Hybrid. The star drivers were the most diligent of the week, being the only ones to individually cross the 200 lap mark, and even more than 300 laps for Nico Rosberg in two days!. The slight mechanical breakdowns are therefore not surprising given the distances covered by the Flèche d’Argent.

The Mercedes units have also shown themselves to perform well against other teams powered by the German engine, namely Williams and Lotus. The FW37 did not encounter any major problems and the E23 completed almost 200 laps while missing a full day. If the car byenstone was less present on the track, the British team had to get used to its new engine partner.

The results are more mixed for Red Bull et Renault Sports F1. While Toro Rosso STR10 was able to line up the laps in Jerez, the RB11 was plagued by various problems mainly concerning the French Power Unit. Nevertheless, the engine manufacturer from Viry-Châtillon is hopeful of making its assembly reliable for the next tests.

But it was McLaren who suffered the most at Jerez, the MP4-30 running with the new Honda unit. The situation at the Woking stable is reminiscent of that of the stables last year when they discovered the new engine. Its progress in Barcelona will be closely monitored for the next tests carried out from February 19 to 22.

Jerez test figures

Laps covered by engine manufacturer: Mercedes 984 (4343km), Ferrari 727 (3219km), Renault 518 (2275km), Honda 79 (349km)

Laps covered by team: Mercedes 516 (2285km), Sauber 382 (1691km), Toro Rosso 353 (1563km), Ferrari 346 (1533km), Williams 278 (1231km), Lotus 190, Red Bull 165 (731km), McLaren 79 (349km )

Laps covered per driver: Rosberg: 308, Hamilton : 208, Räikkönen: 198, Nasr: 196, Ericsson: 185, Sainz : 183, Verstappen : 170, Hag : 148, Massa: 144, Maldonado: 137, Bottas : 134, Ricciardo : 83, Kvyat: 82, Grosjean : 53, Button: 41, Alonso : 38

Jerez test times. Day 4.

1. Kimi Raikkonen? Ferrari? 1’20”841 – 106 laps
2. Marcus Ericsson? Sauber + 1”178 – 112 laps
3. Lewis Hamilton? Mercedes + 1”331 – 117 laps
4. Max Verstappen? Toro Rosso + 1”712 – 97 laps
5. Felipe Massa? Williams + 2 »275 – 73 laps
6. Romain Grosjean? Lotus + 2”961 – 53 laps
7. Daniel Kvyat? Red Bull + 3”134 – 64 laps
8. Jenson Button? McLaren + 6”819 – 35 laps

Test times in Jerez. Day 3

1. Felipe Nasr? Sauber – 1’21”545? 108 rounds
2. Kimi Raikkonen? Ferrari +0”205? 92 rounds
3. Nico Rosberg? Mercedes + 0 »437? 151 rounds
4. Felipe Massa? Williams + 0 »731? 71 rounds
5. Pastor Maldonado? Lotus + 1 »168? 96 rounds
6. Carlos Sainz Jr? Toro Rosso + 1”642? 137 rounds
7. Daniel Ricciardo? Red Bull + 2 »356? 48 rounds
8. Fernando Alonso? McLaren +14”008? 32 rounds

Jerez test times. Day 2.

1. Sebastian Vettel? Ferrari? 1'20"984? 88 rounds
2. Felipe Nasr? Sauber + 0 »883? 88 rounds
3. Valtteri Bottas? Williams + 1 »335? 61 rounds
4. Lewis Hamilton? Mercedes + 1 »506? 91 rounds
5. Max Verstappen? Toro Rosso + 3 »183? 73 rounds
6. Pastor Maldonado? Lotus + 4 »818? 41 rounds
7. Jenson Button? McLaren + 33”671? 6 rounds
8. Daniel Kvyat? Red Bull ? 18 rounds

Jerez test times. Day 1.

1. Sebastian Vettel? Ferrari? 1'22"620? 60 rounds
2. Marcus Ericsson? Sauber +0 »157? 73 rounds
3. Nico Rosberg? Mercedes + 0 »486? 157 rounds
4. Daniel Ricciardo? Red Bull + 0 »718? 35 rounds
5. Valtteri Bottas? Williams + 1 »286? 73 rounds
6. Carlos Sainz Jr? Toro Rosso + 2”707? 46 rounds
7. Fernando Alonso? McLaren? 6 rounds
8. Pastor Maldonado? Lotus