Gutierrez and Sauber focus on tyre testing
Esteban Gutiérrez, the team’s official test and reserve driver, was at the wheel of the Sauber C30-Ferrari on day two of the three Young Driver Days at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit. For the 20-year-old Mexican, who has his first GP2 season under his belt, it was the fourth time he has climbed into a Sauber Formula One car.
The Young Driver Days at the end of the 2009 and 2010 season and a straight line test in 2011 were the previous occasions for Esteban, who will continue driving tomorrow. Today he was mainly busy with tyre comparisons and evaluations.
Giampaolo Dall’Ara, Head of Track Engineering:
“Today the focus was on tyre testing. Esteban compared and evaluated the 2011 version of Pirelli’s soft compound tyre with a new soft tyre which has been made for 2012. It is also different in design. We have covered a very good mileage today, despite the fact we had to stop for 20 minutes early in the afternoon due to a loss of hydraulic pressure. Although Esteban is very young and drove the C30 for the first time on a proper race track and also had to deal with the DRS and KERS, he gave us very mature and useful feedback. We have done everything that was on today’s programme, and are looking forward to another productive day with Esteban tomorrow.”
Esteban Gutiérrez: “It was a great day for me to learn about the different tyres. It is quite challenging to adapt from one to another, and you have to be sensible enough not to push too hard when you have less grip. It was a very good experience for me and I’m looking forward to tomorrow. I’m happy with how the team is welcoming me back in the car. It is good to drive again to continue developing myself to get prepared for the future.”
Circuit: Yas Marina Circuit / 5.554 km
Driver: Esteban Gutiérrez (20, Mexico)
Weather: Sunny and dry, air 25-33°C, track 29-48°C
Chassis / engine: Sauber C30-Ferrari (Chassis 01 / Ferrari 056)
Mileage today: 96 laps in total / 533 km
Fastest lap: 1:43.637 min (in the morning)
