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Driver Rubens
Barrichello / Pastor Maldonado
Chassis / engine FW33-01 / CA320
Location Circuito de la Comunidad Valenciana Ricardo Tormo. 4.005km
Objectives Set up work with Rubens and first shakedown with Pastor
Weather Clear and bright all day
Air & track temps 17ºC / 20ºC
The AT&T
Williams team would see both of their drivers Rubens Barrichello and Pastor
Maldonado complete the teams second day of testing at
the Valencia circuit.
On a day that would see flow-vis paint in use by the Williams team the new
FW33 was again put through its paces as the team comes to grip with their
2011 challenger. But early on in the days Rubens would stop out on the
circuit, at Turn five, with the FW33 been returned to the pits under a cover
on the back of a truck. It was reported that Rubens felt a loss of power and
as a result switched the engine off.
It was later confirmed by the Williams team that "It was an electrical
problem for Rubens, team working on car now, should be back out in about an
hour."
After the first hour Rubens was third with a 1m:18.565. Barrichello would
return to the track following his problem with Rubens setting a 1m19.286s on
his first lap out. At 11am Rubens would set his fastest lap of the day, a
1m17.344. Rubens would pit returning to the track shortly after.
The fastest lap time was a 1m:13.469 from Alonso while Rubens was to
complete forty five laps prior to the third red flag of the day. After the
red flag was cleared Rubens was back out on the track. Prior to stop Rubens
had improved his time with a 1m:16.023. Alonso was even faster with a
1m:13.307.
Like many other drivers Rubens had spoken of his concerns about the amount
of work drivers have to do in the cockpit.
Rubens said: “The only drawback from the day is that the number of buttons
on the steering wheel can distract you from the driving. I don’t think it’s
a danger, but I think it’s a concern. In terms of execution, the additional
controls are obviously necessary, but people have different steering wheels,
so drivers may therefore be able to reach some buttons easier than others.
The problem is you are taking your eye off the road.
“There is not a single straight where I don’t press a button and change
gear. In my role in the GPDA we will keep talking about this, but I think
the FIA will let us practice a little more. I think the strong comments will
come now but will lessen as people get used to things.”
After completing fifty laps Rubens would finish for the day allowing Pastor
to take the car out. After completing four laps Pastor would set a
1m:21.160. He would improve with a 1m:18.955 with an hour left in the days
test. At this time Rubens was in eighth, 1m:16.023, 2.716 seconds off
Alonso's pace.
Pastor would pit and after a red flag period would return to the track
setting a 1m:16.266 to be eleventh at the end of the days testing.
After his time in the new FW33 Pastor said: "It was great, especially the
feeling of the new car. I'm working on understanding the car, and preparing
myself for tomorrow and for the season. "I'm getting more confident lap by
lap. I feel really good."
He added: "The feeling was really good. I adapted myself really good to the
new car today, especially for the first laps. The car was really great. For
sure we need to keep working to adapt the car more to my racing style and
maybe to adapt myself to the car too, so we'll see. We didn't run too much.
Tomorrow it will be all day."
Pastor spoke of
how he can benefit from the experience of team-mate Rubens Barrichello,
especially until he gets used to the demands of F1.
"He's the most experienced driver and that could help me a lot especially at
the beginning of the season. His experience can make a difference," he said.
"I only need to learn and to understand the car more, but I can say I feel
very good inside the team. I'm happy because everything is running well."
In an official
press release Sam Michael, Rubens, and Pastor had these further comments.
Sam Michael, Technical Director: We had a problem in the morning
session with an ignition coil wiring loom shorting out against a testing
sensor which cost us two hours with Rubens. We therefore extended his
programme slightly to do some set-up work in the morning and gain more
understanding of the FW33.
Pastor then took over in the afternoon and acclimatised himself to the car
and the electronics, he didn’t do any real set-up work as we will get into
that tomorrow. Overall it was another good day in terms of mileage.
Rubens Barrichello: We have improved the car from yesterday. We had
an electrical problem in the morning and the boys did a great job to sort
everything out. We then had to do some quick work as I had to hand the car
over to Pastor this afternoon. The work done last night on set-up has
improved the car a little. We are still not there with the balance but we
are going in the right direction.
Pastor Maldonado: It was great to adapt myself to the new car. It was
my first time in the FW33 so I am really happy to get started. Tomorrow I
will get more experience and keep working to understand the car.
AT&T Williams will be back on track tomorrow, Thursday 3 February, with
Pastor Maldonado driving for the final day of the test.
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