Abu Dhabi Test 2014 Day One

Driver: Valtteri Bottas
Chassis/ Engine: FW36-01 / PU106a Hybrid
Locations: Yas Marina, Abu Dhabi, 5.554km

Objectives: Aero evaluations, mechanical & systems work, 2015 tyre tests

Weather: Hot and sunny
Air and Track Temps: 25-33°C / 26-44°C

The Williams Martini team would commence their two day test at the Abu Dhabi Yas Marina circuit, with Valtteri Bottas in the car for the day. The team would be working on testing items in preparation for the 2015 season. By midday Valtteri had completed thirty eight laps having set the quickest time. He would complete the day having completed eighty laps and would remain quickest with a time of 1m:43.396.

Rod Nelson, Chief Test and Support Engineer: We had a very busy day predominantly testing the Pirelli tyres for next year. There is a new rear construction and the supersoft is a new compound and we are happy with the progress we have made so far. We have also tested a few systems for the FW37 and again, they were
successful. We completed a busy programme and look forward to our final day of 2014 running tomorrow with Felipe Nasr.

Valtteri Bottas: It was a good day overall and I really enjoyed it. Everything went to plan and we completed the programme we had planned. It was interesting to try the new Pirelli tyres against the old, we felt a few differences and that is knowledge that we will take forward for next year. The tyre degradation is a lot more consistent so Pirelli has done a good job with the new compound. We got some positive results
from the systems we are testing for next year as well. It was a fun way to end the season. The FW36 has been a great car and a really good platform to build next year’s car from. I have a lot of faith that we can continue to move forward and improve, I am looking forward to getting next season underway now.

Williams will return to the track tomorrow, Wednesday 26 November, for the final day of the test with Felipe Nasr driving the FW36.

Driver 		Team 		  Best Time 	Best / 
						Total Laps
1 V Bottas  	WILLIAMS RACING	  1:43.396	78 / 80
2 K Raikkonen   Ferrari		  1:43.888	50 / 80
3 N Rosberg	Mercedes	  1:44.512	107 / 114
4 J Palmer	Force India	  1:44.516	25 / 37
5 C Sainz	Red Bull Racing	  1:45.339	98 / 100
6 W Stevens	Caterham F1 Team  1:45.436	96 / 102
7 C Pic		Lotus F1 Team	  1:46.167	73 / 89
8 M Ericsson	Sauber F1 Team	  1:46.253	94 / 95
9 M Verstappen	Toro Rosso	  1:47.194	14 / 55
10 S Vandoorne	McLaren		  No Time	3