Massa fastest on first day of Pirelli tyre test
2011 F1 testing
Felipe Massa, Ferrari, Abu Dhabi, 2010
Felipe Massa was the fastest driver in testing at Abu Dhabi as the F1 teams tried out Pirelli’s tyres for the first time.
He lapped within two seconds of the fastest time in the young drivers’ test set by Daniel Ricciardo in the Red Bull.
Sebastian Vettel was back at the wheel just five days after winning the world championship at the Yas Marina track. He was second-fastest for Red Bull.
With Gary Paffett third quickest for McLaren the early signs are a change of tyre supplier has done little to alter the balance of power between the teams.
Force India suffered a setback when Adrian Sutil stopped with an exahaust problem during the session. Test driver Paul di Resta took over after the car was repaired.
Robert Kubica also had a technical problem in his Renault, limiting him to just 39 laps.
| Driver | Car | Time | |
| 1 | Felipe Massa | Ferrari | 1’40.170s |
| 2 | Sebastian Vettel | Red Bull | 1’40.500s |
| 3 | Gary Paffett | McLaren | 1’40.874s |
| 4 | Kamui Kobayashi | Sauber | 1’40.950s |
| 5 | Robert Kubica | Renault | 1’41.032s |
| 6 | Rubens Barrichello | Williams | 1’41.425s |
| 7 | Paul di Resta | Force India | 1’41.615s |
| 8 | Nico Rosberg | Mercedes | 1’41.778s |
| 9 | Jaime Alguersuari | Toro Rosso | 1’42.019s |
| 10 | Adrian Sutil | Force India | 1’42.859s |
| 11 | Timo Glock | Virgin | 1’44.124s |
| 12 | Heikki Kovalainen | Lotus | 1’44.686s |
| 13 | Pastor Maldonado | HRT | 1’45.728s |
2011 F1 testing
- Young Drivers Test Day 3 in pictures
- Vergne completes third day on top in Abu Dhabi
- Young Drivers Test Day 2 in pictures
- Vergne stays quickest on second day of test
- Italian F3 pair complete Ferrari test
- Jean-Eric Vergne leads first day of young drivers test
- 2011 F1 testing diary part four: Barcelona
- McLaren cover least test distance with new car
- Rosberg: Mercedes are “on the up”
- Second Barcelona test day 5 in pictures
Image © Ferrari spa
rascalb said on 19th November 2010, 17:56
Have they said anything about compounds? I think I remember hearing that they are going to continue the Bridgestone model of four dry compounds, one intermediate, and one extreme wet tire.
Do we know how hard or soft these tires are in comparison to others they are planning? And can we please get a better indication of a tire being the option or the prime than that almost invisible green stripe?
BliNnk said on 20th November 2010, 0:53
Kubica is just 0.8 secs behind having done his best on lap 23 while the top 4 did their bests after lap 55.
Seems like there could have been much more from the Renault if not for the problem :)
wasiF1 said on 20th November 2010, 2:49
Rosberg doubts the new Pirelli tyres will do anything to ease the difficulties Mercedes suffered with front-tyre grip on the 2010.It will be interesting to see what Schumacher say today after his test.
HideJogja said on 4th December 2010, 6:19
Much strong when Massa did it on Pirelli for the first time. We should remember that Ferrari always become worse if there are changed rules.
But this time,we’ll sure look at bright 2011 season for Ferrari.
First team which is suitable on Pirelli,definitely wins the 2011 title. The Maranellos’ is ahead.
Dipak T said on 19th November 2010, 14:24
Hes still wearing his florescent yellow helmet in the picture above. I hope he doesnt, his is one of the better ones on the grid, alongside Webbers, and Buttons old design.