Australian Grand Prix 2011, First Practice Session: Formula One highlights - Part 2
Lewis Hamilton headed out to the track but didn’t complete the lap on race-pace as he slowed down in the third sector; his teammate, Jenson Button, appeared to do the same. Meanwhile, Fernando Alonso also left the comfort of his team garage and looked to
capitalize on a relatively empty track.
Moments later, the 2010 Formula 1 Champion, Sebastian Vettel, finally entered the scene. The Red Bull driver didn’t set a time though. Elsewhere, Pastor Maldonado was the first drive to set a timed lap in his Williams.
The start of the Practice session saw Chandhok’s Lotus lose grip on turn 3, this time it was Ferrari’s Felippe Massa’s turn to fall prey to the particular section of the lap. Evidently, grip levels on the track were very low at the time.
The first visuals of the technological advancements for the 2011 season saw Maldonado use the adjustable rear wing. However, it is worth reminding our readers that the system can be used without any restrictions in free practice.
Another food for thought: the fastest time in the first practice session last year was 1 minute 26.927 seconds by Renault F1’s Robert Kubica – Perhaps it would be safe to set this as a benchmark for the session under consideration. With half of the first
practice period done, the quickest times were hovering around the 1 minute 29 seconds bracket.
Less than half an hour remained. HRT was not expected to head out in the session – The Spanish team is understood to have used one of the four curfew exceptions assigned to it the night before trying to get the F111 ready.
The cars were evidently feeling their way around the circuit. Not only were the drivers a little off their game due to the season break, but the introduction of the new specifications along with the change from Bridgestone to Pirelli rubber required a fair
amount of getting use to.
10 minutes remained. It was unlikely that Chandhok was going to take to the track again after his crash early in the session. Elsewhere, rookie Jerome D’ Ambrosio had only done a single lap so far.
Looking at the McLaren camp; both British drivers had done the most number of laps compared to the rest of the pack at that particular stage – Perhaps evidence of their need to test their car owing to the lack of mileage in the pre-season tests.
Continued in part 3...
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