Valencia Day 2: McLaren report
2 February, 2011
Lewis Hamilton
Feb.2 (Vodafone McLaren Mercedes) Today saw a continuation of the programme started yesterday by Gary Paffett – namely, gathering data and feedback on Pirelli’s 2011 rubber using a modified MP4-25 – with Lewis Hamilton at the wheel.
Lewis said: “It felt great to be back in the car. I haven’t been driving for a while, so it felt good to brush away the cobwebs, and I felt at home straight away.
“Even though we were using the 2010 car, we had quite a productive day. We were trying to replicate 2011 downforce levels on the old car – so it wasn’t 100 per cent accurate – but we still got a good understanding of the new Pirellis and covered quite a lot of ground.
“The new tyres are easy to get a feel for; there’s not as much grip on the Pirellis as we had last year; they drop off quite a bit, too, and they’re a little bit harder to control over a longer stint – but it’s the same for everybody.”
Jenson Button winds up the programme tomorrow before focus shifts to Friday’s launch of the MP4-26 and next week’s Jerez test.
Related posts:
- Valencia Day 2: Sauber report
- Valencia Day 1: Hispania report
- Valencia Day 1: Red Bull report
- Valencia Day 1: McLaren report
- Valencia Day 1: Mercedes GP report
