Racing Engineering's Dani Clos shines at Paul Ricard

Racing Engineering enjoyed a positive second day of testing at Paul Ricard today. Dani Clos convinced with his consistency, having finished the morning session in 1st and the afternoon session in 2nd position. Team mate Christian Vietoris clocked the 5th fastest time in the morning and only a technical gremlin could keep him from setting yet another competitive lap time during the afternoon.

Given today’s track configuration, the target was mainly to try different aerodynamic set ups. Therefore a direct comparison of the times achieved is almost impossible, as teams ran different aero configurations, thus resulting in different lap times. Racing Engineering’s Dani Clos finished the morning session in an excellent 1st position, whilst Christian Vietoris set the fifth fastest lap time, thus underlining his consistent performance during his first test days with Racing Engineering.

During the afternoon, and after a few drops of rain, which didn't affect the grip on the track, the two drivers faced different fortunes. Christian was running well in the afternoon, until a fuel pressure problem was encountered on his car. Running in competitive positions until then, always within the top five, and having even led the charts at one point, he was forced to watch the rest of the session from the pits.

However, given his speed during the morning as well as the early afternoon at the French track, he should be able to return to the top of the timing screens tomorrow. Dani, on his part, continued doing setup and evaluation work, having remained on top of the timing sheets until 20 minutes to the end of the day. The Spaniard still managed to improve his personal best to finish the day second fastest, with a time of 1.09:876, just a bit over a tenth off the fastest time of experienced driver Pastor Maldonado.

Both Racing Engineering drivers will be back in their cars tomorrow for the last of three test days at the French track. It will be the short 2D track configuration for day 3, and while today Bridgestone supplied the teams with medium compound tyres, it will be soft tyres tomorrow.

Dani Clos: "Today was a very positive day, not only because of the results, but the work we have done. From the very beginning we tried different things and found solutions. We have gained some positive conclusions. I am happy with the work done by the boys, we had no technical issues. I also get along really well with my engineer, which is essential. Therefore, I am happy and things get better all the time. We hope to get some more interesting insights for the test in Barcelona and the races."

Christian Vietoris: "It went well in the morning. I was always within the top three. When mounting the new set of tyres, I could not really take advantage of them as I encountered some traffic on the track. In the afternoon we had a problem with the fuel pressure and I wasn't driving anymore after. Until then I was quite fast and within the top five. I think we are generally there and if tomorrow we manage to get a clean lap and trouble free run, we should be on top. We definitely have the speed."

Alfonso de Orleans-Borbón, president of the Spanish team, said: "Things went very well today, it was a very positive day of testing. Good job Dani! First in morning and second in afternoon shows that we are working into the right direction. It's a pity Christian could not run at the end of the afternoon session, but he was running in strong positions during the rest of the day, so I am confident he will be back at the top tomorrow. Our mechanics did a good job as well. We are all looking forward to tomorrow and hope to see both our boys on the top again."


- Racing Engineering -