‘Hamilton helping drive Mercedes forward’
Team principal Brawn welcomes new signing’s feedback.
Hamilton’s feedback has been helping Mercedes ahead of the new season that kicks off in March. PHOTO: REUTERS
JEREZ:
Lewis Hamilton made up for lost time by doing 145 laps of the Jerez test circuit on Friday with Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn hailing the 2008 Formula One champion for his work in driving the team forward.
The 28-year-old former McLaren driver did only 15 laps before a brake failure sent him crashing out on his test debut with his new team on Wednesday but returned for a full day’s work. His efforts were interrupted only when testing was halted for nearly an hour to enable workers to repair a damaged kerb and fill a hole between turns 10 and 11 with quick-drying cement.
Hamilton told reporters that Mercedes, largely uncompetitive last season, were where he hoped they would be in terms of performance and he was giving them plenty of feedback.
“We have some work to do but it doesn’t feel like it was a disaster,” said the Briton. “I feel like it’s a good platform, a good foundation to work from.
“Definitely we are going to keep asking for downforce and hope the guys continue to do a great job at the factory.
Brawn welcomed any constructive criticism from Hamilton and his German teammate Nico Rosberg, who did 148 laps on Thursday.
“I think we’ve made it clear to Lewis that he’s part of the solution,” said the Englishman. “He gives us reference points and helps us understand what we need to focus on. I welcome that approach as it’s helpful for the team to drive it forward.”
Hamilton ended the final day of the test with the sixth fastest time of one minute 18.905 seconds. Kimi Raikkonen was quickest for Lotus in 1:18.148 with Frenchman Jules Bianchi setting out his credentials for the Force India drive with the second best lap of 1:18.175.
Red Bull’s triple world champion Sebastian Vettel was third fastest after doing 96 laps.
Ferrari ended up with the fastest lap of the week, the time of 1:17.879 set by Felipe Massa.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 10th, 2013.
Lewis Hamilton made up for lost time by doing 145 laps of the Jerez test circuit on Friday with Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn hailing the 2008 Formula One champion for his work in driving the team forward.
The 28-year-old former McLaren driver did only 15 laps before a brake failure sent him crashing out on his test debut with his new team on Wednesday but returned for a full day’s work. His efforts were interrupted only when testing was halted for nearly an hour to enable workers to repair a damaged kerb and fill a hole between turns 10 and 11 with quick-drying cement.
Hamilton told reporters that Mercedes, largely uncompetitive last season, were where he hoped they would be in terms of performance and he was giving them plenty of feedback.
“We have some work to do but it doesn’t feel like it was a disaster,” said the Briton. “I feel like it’s a good platform, a good foundation to work from.
“Definitely we are going to keep asking for downforce and hope the guys continue to do a great job at the factory.
Brawn welcomed any constructive criticism from Hamilton and his German teammate Nico Rosberg, who did 148 laps on Thursday.
“I think we’ve made it clear to Lewis that he’s part of the solution,” said the Englishman. “He gives us reference points and helps us understand what we need to focus on. I welcome that approach as it’s helpful for the team to drive it forward.”
Hamilton ended the final day of the test with the sixth fastest time of one minute 18.905 seconds. Kimi Raikkonen was quickest for Lotus in 1:18.148 with Frenchman Jules Bianchi setting out his credentials for the Force India drive with the second best lap of 1:18.175.
Red Bull’s triple world champion Sebastian Vettel was third fastest after doing 96 laps.
Ferrari ended up with the fastest lap of the week, the time of 1:17.879 set by Felipe Massa.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 10th, 2013.