Hulkenberg proves Cosworth has the pace

Feb.26 (YF1 & GMM) Nico Hulkenberg proved that Cosworth power is right on the money by powering his AT&T Williams FW32 to the top of the timing sheets on day two of Barcelona tests, as Formula 1 teams enjoyed anther day of sunshine in Catalunya.

The German rookie was pleased to be fastest of all during his 99 laps but declined to read anything into the achievement in comparison to his rivals. Williams opted for long runs early on and going all out during qualifying simulation runs later in the day. “P1 was nice but means nothing, to be honest,” said Hulkenberg

Second quickest, by the narrowest of margins, was local hero Fernando Alonso who racked up 139 laps, more than anyone else, in the Ferrari F10 putting behind him and his team the electrical problems that the team endured on the opening day. The Spaniard spent the morning  concentrating on short hot lap stints and longer runs later in the day with a full race simulation at the end of the session, again showing the combination to be a potent force ahead of the season opener in Bahrain.

Another local hero, Pedro de la Rosa again showed that the Sauber C29 is a capable piece of kit by setting the third fastest time with 114 laps on the board. He was one who focused on short stints in the morning with longer runs later in the day. His “race pace” around two seconds shy of his qualifying pace.

The presence of three Spaniards at Circuit de Catalunya, particularly Alonso in the Ferrari, no doubt contributed to the presence of an estimated 15,000 fans in the stands. Organisers expect those figures to increase dramatically on Saturday and Sunday.

Vitantonio Liuzzi driving the Force India VJM03 was the fastest of the Mercedes powered drivers. He spent the morning on running short stints, followed by longer stints and a race simulation distance in the afternoon.

Sebastian Vettel was again on duty for Red Bull Racing and, like most of his rivals, did short low fuel runs in the morning before embarking on longer runs in the afternoon. Late in the day the RB6 developed mechanical problems which curtailed their day but the German had nevertheless circulated 125 laps in total. He observed at the end of the day, “I don’t know what was going on with McLaren and Mercedes today. I haven’t looked that closely but they didn’t seem to be that quick.”

The third local hero in action on the day was Jaime Alguersuari who set the sixth fastest time in  the Toro Rosso STR5 who notched up 104 laps and set the sixth fastest time. The team appeared to focus on long runs for the young Spaniard who is enjoying F1 testing, which was denied him last year when he made his Grand Prix debut having never sat in a F1 car.

Two of the three F1 World Champions in action Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton (the other being Alonso) were down the order. Schumacher completed 85 laps on a day where he appeared to shun hot lap opportunities and rather focus on testing various aero tweaks and upgrades on the Mercedes GP MGP W01. He appeared to concede that the W01 might not be a winner. “Maybe not,” the seven time world champion told reporters when asked if he would be among the favourites in Bahrain.

Hamilton appeared to choose a similar option to his German counterpart and ended the day eighth fastest and 93 laps on the chart. Nevertheless the Briton was upbeat, “We’re in a much stronger position than we were last year. After driving last year’s car here this feels light years ahead.”

Robert Kubica was ninth quickest with 53 laps on the board in the Renault R30.

Both “new teams on the block” enjoyed a more fruitful day with Jarno Trulli 10th quickest in the Lotus T127 with 70 laps recorded albeit with a couple of stoppages out on track.

Timo Glock was slowest of the bunch in the Virgin VR01 but the team would have been relieved to have racked up some meaningful laps, 52 in total, and setting a time not far off their fellow newbies Lotus.

The difference in pace from Hulkenberg to Glock was just over five seconds.