Alonso schools the youngsters in Abu Dhabi test

Renault’s Fernando Alonso schooled the young drivers in Abu Dhabi on the final day of Formula 1 track running in 2020 meant to be for up and coming young drivers.

Proving he lost none of his speed, the two-time world champion posted a 1m36.333s to end the test quickest as he prepares for his return to the F1 grid next season following a two-year hiatus.

Alonso’s time was 0.026 seconds quicker than the fastest Renault qualifying lap last weekend proving he is probably better than both Esteban Ocon and departing Daniel Ricciardo who set their times in the cool of the night.

Alonso beat Formula E regulars Nyck de Vries and Stoffel Vandoorne, both in the superior Mercedes.

Robert Kubica was fourth-fastest ahead of Bull and Honda protege Yuki Tsunoda who was fifth-fastest for AlphaTauri.

Ferrari development driver Antonio Fuoco was seventh, ahead of Ferrari Driver Academy member Callum Ilott in the second Alfa Romeo and Renault’s Guanyu Zhou, who lapped well over a second slower than what Alonso managed.

Quotes

Stoffel Vandoorne I had a lot of fun out there today in the W11. I managed to complete plenty of laps with both some short and longer runs. It was a pretty smooth day and I was quickest in the morning session as well. I want to say a massive thank you to the team for giving me this opportunity, because the chance to drive a Championship-winning F1 car doesn’t come around very often and is very unique. It was a real privilege to drive W11 and a really great day. I had to cut the afternoon a little short because I had to leave to the airport for a PR commitment, but nonetheless I’m really happy with the day we’ve had in the car and the opportunity to end the year driving W11.

Nyck de Vries Today was very special, making my Formula One debut. What an incredible car, it’s from a different planet really. You can brake so late and carry so much speed through the corners. It was a real pleasure to drive. I’m really pleased with the progression I made throughout the day and the work we completed. I was quite surprised with how quickly I felt comfortable in the car and the team was very supportive, doing everything they could to make me feel as comfortable as possible. A massive thanks to Mercedes for this very unique and special opportunity because it was a great day in the car.

Andrew Shovlin Today was the last time we’ll see the W11 on track for a few years, so it was nice to give it one last run with Nyck and Stoffel, our Formula E drivers. They both did a great job. Stoffel has driven some of our previous cars over the last few years, but this was his first time driving the W11, so it was interesting to get his feedback. Unfortunately, Stoffel had to leave early to make a commitment with the Formula E team and missed the cooler conditions at the end of the day, but we were able to get through a full program. For Nyck, it was his first day in an F1 car and he’s impressed us with how quickly he was up to speed and his pace on low and high fuel. Both Stoffel and Nyck contribute to our F1 program with simulator work so today has been a really useful opportunity to let them try the real thing, and a nice way for us to close off the 2020 season.

Yuki Tsunoda (Car #38): “I had more track time today than when I tried a Formula 1 car for the first time in November and I must admit I feel a bit tired now at the end of the day. But it was a very enjoyable experience. When I last drove in Imola it was a 2018 car, so I was surprised at the increase in power and downforce from the current car. However, the experience from my drive in Imola was definitely a useful starting point for today. There were quite a few aspects that felt new to me and during the session I worked on dealing with these and continuously improving throughout the day. I learned a lot and have made progress with my driving. The off-season starts tomorrow, and I have a training program planned to make sure I am always stronger and fitter, but I will also enjoy some days at home in Japan, to fully recharge batteries.”

Marino Sato (Car #39): “First of all, thank you to everyone in Scuderia AlphaTauri for the opportunity I had today to drive an F1 car for the very first time. We completed quite a lot of laps, it’s just a shame that I got stuck in bit of traffic for my run on the soft compound. It was looking good until then, but I can’t say I could fully give it all I had today. But still, the first day in a Formula 1 car was really enjoyable and a great experience, so I hope to come back to drive this car again soon.”

Franz Tost (Team Principal): “It was a very successful test today. We completed 250 laps with the two cars and it was quite a good lesson for both the drivers. They could experience the preparation which is required for such an event, like the FIA jump test, which they both passed without problems, and they could learn what it means having to work with a lot more engineers than what they were used to. During the test we were not allowed to do set up changes, but they could certainly learn the car and compare different tire compounds as we tested both Primes and Options. Especially here in Abu Dhabi, it’s important for the driver to understand how to use the tires not to overheat them and to get the correct temperature. Yuki had already tested an F1 car in Imola back in November, but this time he could drive the current-spec car, and for Marino, it was his first time in F1. Yuki did a great job while giving us very good technical feedback, and his cooperation with the engineers has been really beneficial. Marino also did a solid job, he completed many laps, learning the car and how an F1 team works. If he continues like this I think he has a future in motorsport. Today we had a very fruitful test, a good end to a successful 2020 season. “I would like to thank all the team members, at the track and in the operation room, in Faenza and Bicester, and last but not least, Honda, for their fantastic support and their very powerful and reliable PU. Everyone has done their part to achieve the best season ever in our history.”

Dave Robson, Williams Head of Vehicle Performance: After a tricky season, it was good to finish with a productive and smooth day. Both Jack and Roy have driven the car several times this year, but for both to get a chance to have the car for a full day in the calm environment of a Young Driver Day was very valuable for everyone.
Conditions can be a little different during the Abu Dhabi day than in the afternoon and evening sessions at the race weekend, but nonetheless, it was good, valuable and representative running. Both drivers did an excellent job, enjoyed themselves and gained some very useful experience, which will help them to make increasingly valuable contributions to the car development programs. As well as giving an opportunity to our young drivers, it also gives us a chance to rotate some of the engineers and mechanics, which increases our overall experience level and helps us motivate and train people for the next steps in their careers. With the prospect of longer seasons in the years ahead, this additional training is vital.

Jack Aitken: It was a really good day, and I had lots of fun, but I wish we had more tires to play with! We got through a nice program, I got plenty of laps and we had no major issues which is always nice. There were a few things that we went into more detail with that we didn’t have time to in Bahrain. It was nice to go through some of the procedures and really knuckle down in more detail on some things which is a luxury. It was a nice way to end the year and thanks again to Williams for the opportunity.

Roy Nissany: It is always nice to jump back in the car and today was amazing. In contrast to the FP1s, it was a full day with lots of kilometers logged, lots of learning, lots of understanding of the car – a great experience. It was also a challenge in terms of the development, and in terms of understanding a few mechanical changes. Overall, I am happy with my performance, and I think the team is as well. It was a great way to end the year. I will take all the conclusions, go deep into the data and spend the winter analyzing it all.

More to follow…….

Abu Dhabi Young Driver Test Results