Williams F1 Bahrain Test 19:02:2014 Day One

Driver: Felipe Massa
Chassis / Engine: FW36-02 / PU106A Hybrid
Location: Bahrain International Circuit 5.412km
Objectives: Reliability tests
Weather: Dry and sunny Maximum air & track temps: 20ºC / 30ºC

After a series of recent sponsorship announcements the Williams F1 team would commence their second 2014 test session at the Bahrain International Circuit. Both Williams F1 drivers, Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas, were present but it would be Felipe who would take to the track on the first day. He would complete an installation lap after one hour of the session but the team would have to work on the car with the engine cover coming off with reports that the power was cutting out on Felipe's first run. After a thirty minute stoppage Felipe was able to return to the track for a short run. At this time Hamilton was fastest with a 1m:40.625. But Hamilton would start to improve his pace setting a 1m:39.464. Felipe had yet to return to the track with two hours of the day completed.

As the morning progressed we would see little of the FW36 with Felipe still not having set a time. Reports came back saying that the issue was with the fuel supply. This was confirmed by the Williams team with Felipe only able to come back out onto the track with the final minutes not setting a time having completed just five laps during the day.

Rod Nelson, Chief Test & Support Engineer: Unfortunately we lost some time today with a fuel system problem. After replacing some components it then became necessary to remove the power unit to investigate the fuel cell. We were able to get some laps in at the end of the day but we will aim to resolve the issue and
continue our programme with Valtteri tomorrow to get through as much of our planned running as possible.

Felipe Massa: It was a difficult day. It was frustrating for me but also for the whole team as we all wanted to get lots of laps on the board today. We had a few issues with the car which we are investigating and aim to solve for tomorrow and the following days. We know the most important thing is to get mileage on the car,
so we hope to do that and get everything we want from tomorrow, and through until the end of next week.

Williams will be back on track tomorrow, Thursday 20 January, with Valtteri Bottas in the FW36 for the second day of the test.

Driver 		Team 			Best Time Best / 
						  Total Laps
1  N Hulkenberg  Sahara Force India	1:36.880  47 / 78
2  F Alonso	Scuderia Ferrari	1:37.879  47 / 64
3  L Hamilton	Mercedes AMG Petronas	1:37.908  53 / 74
4  K Magnussen	McLaren Mercedes	1:38.295  16 / 81
5  S Vettel	Infiniti Red Bull	1:40.224  13 / 14
6  A Sutil	Sauber F1 Team		1:40.443  37 / 82
7  R Frijns	Caterham F1 Team	1:42.534  65 / 68
8  D Kvyat	Toro Rosso		1:44.346  4 / 5
9  R Grosjean	Lotus			1:44.832  4 / 8
10 F Massa	Williams		No Time	  / 5
11 J Bianchi	Marussia		No Time	  / 3