Di Resta and Buurman in action for Force India
The Force India F1 Team today concluded its young driver test at the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi. As per yesterday Paul di Resta conducted some development work for the opening 90 minutes before handing the VJM03 over to Yelmer Buurman for the remainder of the day.
Dutchman Yelmer completed a solid day as he ran different aero and fuel settings to get used to the demands and challenges of a Formula 1 car. He posted 67 laps with a best time of 1:41.178, the 10th quickest of the day.
Paul di Resta: "Back in the car today for some further development work ahead of the tyre test on Friday and Saturday. Again it was a very short time out on track but we managed to complete our programme, which included running some aero items and evaluating set ups. The track has improved massively from yesterday and I'm sure it will be very different when I get back out again on Friday, but it was good to get some more time out there to be as ready as possible for the next outing."
Yelmer Buurman: "Obviously it's an amazing experience to finally get out on track in an F1 car. You go into it expecting something and it's even more impressive than you imagined. I was really blown away by the performance and the steering, but I felt I got used to it quite quickly. It's been a great day, although not everything worked out as planned with several red flags that interrupted a lot of our runs. At the end we then stopped out on track and ran out of time to make a run on the new tyres and that would have put us higher up the order. This was my first step into F1. My aim is to do more F1 testing in 2011 combined with GP2 or Superleague Formula and to be a F1 race driver in 2012, with the support of some Dutch multinationals we are talking to. I am ready for it and like to thank Force India F1 for this test today."
Dominic Harlow, chief race engineer: "Paul began today's final day of F1 testing on Bridgestone tyres with some more preparation for the coming new tyre test in a little over 24 hours. Yelmer then took over the car for the remainder of the day improving steadily through a run plan consisting of familiarisation with the car and team and both practice and race simulation. Unfortunately the car stopped out on track just before the planned low fuel run, which would have given a chance to improve on the overall time. I'd like to take the opportunity to sincerely thank Bridgestone for their fantastic support and contribution over the years of their involvement in F1 and with this team."
