Pastor Maldonado tops the timesheets in FP1 of 2012 European GP – Formula 1 news
Williams’ driver Pastor Maldonado has topped the timesheets in the first free Friday practice session of 2012 European Grand Prix held at Valencia Street Circuit in Spain.
Maldonado has set the best time of 1 minute and 40.890 seconds in FP1. Moreover, he completed 22 laps and remained ahead of Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull Racing who covered 21 laps and came second with his best time of 1 minute and 40.973 seconds.
The defending champion was followed by his teammate, Mark Webber who set the third best time of 1 minute and 40.984. The Australian driver completed 19 laps and stayed ahead of Jenson Button of McLaren who came fourth in the timesheets with his fastest time
of 1 minute and 40.994 seconds.
It is to be noted that the 2009 world champion struggled with the front tyres lock up on turn 17 due to which he could not advance further.
Fernando Alonso of Ferrari set the fifth best time of 1 minute and 41.065 seconds. In addition, he covered 26 laps and remained busy in testing the new updates in F2012 which the Scarlet team has planned for the race.
The Spaniard remained ahead of Paul di Resta of Force India who came 6th in the timesheets with his quickest time of 1 minute and 41.105 seconds. Di Resta was followed by Michael Schumacher of Mercedes who completed 22 laps and set his best time
of 1 minute and 41.117 seconds. It will be important to mention that although veteran German driver has been facing technical issues in the last four races, however, he seemed strong in W03.
The seven-time world champion stayed ahead of Lewis Hamilton of McLaren who came 8th after setting his fastest time of 1 minute and 41.158 seconds. The Briton completed 18 laps and was followed by Schumacher’s teammate, Nico Rosberg who set his
quickest time of 1 minute and 41.182 seconds.
Rosberg was followed by Lotus pair of drivers, Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean who remained ahead of Sauber-Ferrari drivers, Kamui Kobayashi and Sergio Perez.
Felipe Massa of Ferrari came 14th with his best time of 1 minute and 42.109 seconds. Besides, the Brazilian driver completed 20 laps and tested the updates concerning the aerodynamics and the floor of the car.
Force India test driver Jules Bianchi covered 21 laps and set the 15th fastest time of 1 minute and 42.175 seconds. He was followed by Williams’ test driver, Valtteri Bottas who came 16th in the timesheets with his quickest time of
1 minute and 42.299 seconds.
Bottas was followed by Heikki Kovalainen of Caterham who set the 17th best time of 1 minute and 42.442 seconds. Kovalainen was followed by Jean-Eric Vergne of Toro Rosso who stayed ahead of his teammate, Daniel Ricciardo.
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