NOVEMBER 16, 2011

Vergne quickest again

Jean-Eric Vergne again topped the Abu Dhabi young driver test times for Red Bull on the second day of running at the Yas Marina circuit.

Vergne (1:40.188) lost some track time with sensor and KERS problems and finished the day just under a tenth quicker than Ferrari test driver Jules Bianchi (1:40.279).

Gary Paffett (1:41.756) concentrated mainly on 2012 Pirelli tyre testing and some McLaren development parts, bringing out a red flag when he stopped with loss of fuel pressure.

Valtierri Bottas (1:42.367) lapped the Williams-Cosworth half a second quicker than Force India debutant Johnny Cecotto Jr (1:42.873) in the Force India, before leaving to head for the Macau GP.

Cecotto, 22-year-old son of Venezuelan motorcycle legend Johnny, who partnered Ayrton Senna at Toleman in 1984, impressed Force India with his feedback and the speed with which he got to grips with the control systems, changing modes unprompted.

"Amazing is the only word to describe today," Cecotto said. "Everything was just incredible from the moment I left the pits to begin my first lap. These cars are so impressive: the power, braking performance and the aerodynamic grip through the corners. Overall it was just an unbelievable experience to work at such a professional level."

Esteban Gutierrez (1:43.637) lapped the Sauber fractionally quicker than Sam Bird's Mercedes (1:43.734) as the Briton concentrated on longer runs while assisting with Pirelli's 2012 development tyres.

Eighteen-year-old Estonian Kevin Korjus (1:43.776), who finished sixth in the World Series by Renault 3.5 series with Tech 1 Racing, lapped the Renault in 1:43.776, ahead of Luiz Razia (1:43.944) in the Lotus, Kevin Ceccon (1:44.808) in the Toro Rosso, Jan Charouz (1:46.644) in the HRT and Charles Pic (1:46.698) in the Virgin. Nathanael Berthon (1:48.646) appeared for the last half hour of the day in the HRT.

The final day of the test takes place tomorrow.