Lewis Hamilton was fastest in day one of the three-day test at the Hockenheimring Circuit yesterday, which was wet—ring any bells? The 10 teams started their preperation for the German Grand Prix in 11 days time. The young Herts-born star was comfortable showing that he has a massive point to prove after his heroic win on Sunday at Silverstone.
The current reigning world champion, Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen, was second fastest, 0.3s adrift of the Brit. The Ferrari was showing signs of being considerably better than it was at the British GP.
Native German driver Nico Rosberg was third, which is a sign of encouragment after his Williams had a really bad weekend that he couldn't recover from. I wonder if Nico has that added fire in his gut with being at home.
Massive shock here was fourth fastest Adrian Sutil in his Force India, showing that his spellbinding drive in Monaco might not be the last great drive we see from him. They are improving the new aerodynamic and mechanical package that was used at Silverstone.
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"We worked on the set up this morning and I was happy with the car" said Adrian Sutil. Also a German with a point to prove, he needs to show he is worthy of his seat.
Sebastian Bourdais did a long test session. He was testing tyre comparisons to see which would better suit the Torro Rosso here. He completed 113 laps and posted the fifth best time in the process.
Toyota gave Kamui Kobayashi another go in the car. They were looking at variables on the TF108. "Data collection was our main target" said Gerd Pfeffier. Kobayashi impressed with his sixth best time finish.
Another German looking to continue his recent mismatched performances is Nick Heidfeld, who took second on Sunday. He was testing different set ups and suspension solutions and posted the seventh fastest time of the day.
Nelson Piquet, Jr. completed 111 laps of the circuit and took the eighth fastest time. He then passed the reigns onto two-time World Champion teammate Fernando Alonso. He did say he would have liked more time out there today, but was happy with his result and performance.
Veteran and soon-to-retire Scotsman David Coulthard was testing suspension geometry in his Red Bull and was ninth fastest.
Alex Wurz filled the final place of the 10 runners and caused the session to be red flagged when he spun off at the Mercedes Grandstand.
Testing Times from Hockenheim (7/8)
- 1. Lewis Hamilton McLaren 1m15.438s
- 2. Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari 1m15.803s
- 3. Nico Rosberg Williams 1m16.099s
- 4. Adrian Sutil Force India 1m16.516s
- 5. Sebastian Bourdais Torro Rosso 1m16.533s
- 6. Kamui Kobayashi Toyota 1m16.570s
- 7. Nick Heidfeld Bmw 1m16.593s
- 8. Nelson Piquet Renault 1m16.856s
- 9. David Coulthard Red Bull 1m17.361s
- 10. Alex Wurz Honda 1m17.825s
So at the start of the test week at Hockenheim, Hamilton has started where he left off at Silverstone on Sunday.
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about 1 month ago
Let it rain, let it rain, let it rain...
about 1 month ago
yeah rain would be great again . i think it will be heidfeld that finishes 2nd to hamilton again . a little de ja vu shall we say
about 1 month ago
Oh yeah definatly let it rain For two weeks solid , until the day after GP just to be ertai , no one can hack lewis in therain , Fuji-Monaco-silverstone , the only time he hasnt done well on a wet day was nurburgring but after a 175MPH impact into a tyre barrier id still be in bed the morning after so full marks to him for giving it a go , his ribs must of been tender , every time he pulled G his stomach was probably aching.
Sanghai was wet but it wasnt his fault it was the mechanics fault so that cant be counted , until he beached in the gravel he was blisteringly fast and may of won without that mistake .
about 1 month ago
I think it's too early to promote Lewis to winner of German GP. Ok, he was fastest, but he didn't win, that was just a test, not a race. Let's wait and see and i hope we will strike back.
about 1 month ago
Things are looking good for McLaren, that car is very well balanced right now, it looked sweet all weekend at Silverstone and the week before in testing, things have started as they finished last week and while I agree with your point Dagni I do think that to judge a test time as race pace is silly but if you look at the qualifying times compared to the test times in last weeks Silverstone GP its clear to see that you can take something from them so I think its time for Ferrari to stop "Sandbagging" even though they are not, they are just CLEARLY off the pace ... Times are changing and Ferrari need to get back into gear tomorrow at the latest ! Its that serious !
Silverstone Testing Fast lap - 1:19:170 L Hamilton
Silverstone Qualifying Fast Lap - 1:21:049 (race fuel) H Kovalainen
about 1 month ago
Dagni :
Ive not promoted Lewis to winner of the race ( actually in MY own Mind i Have ) . but its only MY personal opinion . Everyone is entitled to one . i do think he will winBUT i can guarantee i know who YOU think will win and thats Raikkonen , i dont mind That because its your opinion .
Nauty :
Mclaren are looking up , they have Of course a few inentives,
Silverstone = Lewis' Home And mclaren f1 home territory .
Hockenheim = Mercedes Home , and a back to back win for driver and team .
Also all this bullshit with the media has gave them a real desire to stick two fingers up , they are headin in the right way and long may it continue . and of course ferrari's woes ha ha . Rosberg and massa at ferrari 2009 + . kimi retired ( i hope not for he is skillful for sure i dont deny that )
from about 1 month ago
I didn't said that Räikkönen will win. Or Kovalainen. I only thought about that, didn't say that. Don't put any words to my mouth.
McLaren may have some intentives cause it's Mercedes track, but is that realistic? BMW is German team, so they could be very strong in Hockenheim, there's both Ferraris, and much more drivers, so afterall i think it's best to wait and see who will win. Well it's just one of the races, and it can be important to anyone, but i wouldn't bother anyone with that. Let's wait and see.
And yes, about Hamilton retering in Shangai last year. That was a team mistake, and Lewis is part of the team. So, blame them all.
about 1 month ago
I Wasnt Putting Words In your Mouth But It Seems you are Raikkonens Number 1 Fan , so i think That YOU think he will Win .
As i said in my Race Build up Article , i Think BMW will be strong Yet again .
i Know ferrari will Be strong they usually are , IVE got Raikkonen to finish 2nd Behind lewis so i dont see the problem !!!!!!!!
I think lewis will win Back 2 Back , This is only my Opinion , What Is wrong with having An opinion ??????
And you do Know that LEWIS asked For a Pit Stop 3 Times in Shanghai , Only to be told " Try and keep it going Lewis We Need you To Dispatch Raikkonen Before making a stop " SO how on earth is that Lewis' Fault ???????
from about 1 month ago
Yes, you were the words in my mouth, what do i think and what do i wish, i think i'm the only one who knows that. I'm just trying to be realistic and not too passionate about who will win in Germany. Knowing Räikkönen, and whole Ferrari team, wishes are one, reality is different. Maybe i would like to see Kovalainen to win. So, don't predict my thoughts please.
About Shangai and Lewis, i know, i have been there, but Lewis is part of McLaren-Mercedes team, so i don't see the point to seperate driver from the team. It's package, so if it's Lewis driving for McLaren, same as Kimi done, or Heikki when he was in Renault or Heikki now in McLaren.
about 1 month ago
yeah yeah . i know they are a team , im not even going to argue with you because i cant get through to you . and what you was sat in the cockpit with lewis while he was asking for his pit stop ? nice one , i didnt see you .
im not having that .
i dont know who you are or wheather your real . i cant be arsed with all these ferrari fans you all talk crap .
about 1 month ago
Hamilton, is a young guy in a very fast car, is he a great driver, not even close. Will he be great, if he drives the same way he runs off his motor mouth, then he has no chance. The chances of Hamilton getting as much luck in Germany as he did in UK is very slim!
about 1 month ago
Paul your the dickhead of the century , Not close to being a great driver , thats why He has Broke records , Won Two Races in his first 7 races , 9 podiums in a row . The WET races he has prevailed , When experienced men cant even hold it on the track ( KIMI AND FELIPE ) its endless , and you say he is not great . so your telling me you could drive any better than this ? i really dont think so .
Again you are another Version of the armchair expert who is all too quick to slate lewis at every opportunity . you are the kind of person damaging this sport .
I Predicted that lewis will win at hockenheim , again its another Personal opinion BUT you have trouble understandng this Paul . So if you cant Be Civilised To People who Make a Contribution Then FUCK off . Either That Or Write a RACE FINISH Prediction of your own , Whats Up With You .
i have tried long enough to speak with decency to you back on michaels article but your a ONE WAY TRAFFIC Person , Only Your OPINION And Fellow Ferrari Follwers Opinions Count in your mind .
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