ROKiT Williams F1 Barcelona test 1, day 3 - Latifi on track 21.02.2020: 21/02/2020 Barcelona Test One – Day Three Drivers: Nicholas Latifi Chassis / Engine: FW43-01 / Mercedes-AMG F1 M11 EQ Performance Location: Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, 4.655 km Weather: Moderate and dry

21/02/2020
Barcelona Test One – Day Three
 
Drivers: Nicholas Latifi
Chassis / Engine: FW43-01 / Mercedes-AMG F1 M11 EQ Performance
Location: Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, 4.655 km
Weather: Moderate and dry



Dave Robson, Head of Vehicle Performance: Nicholas was back in the car today and we had a full programme planned for him. Unfortunately, during the morning we saw something in the data which gave us concern over the power unit. A subsequent investigation meant we couldn’t get back on track until late in the afternoon.



However, the mechanics did a great job of rebuilding the car to get us back out in time to complete some useful new tyre running. We were able to complete the day with a series of pitstops, which was a valuable experience for Nicholas and gave him an appreciation of how quick the stops will be once we get to the serious business of racing in Melbourne.



We now have a few days to review the findings from this week before we start the final three days of testing ahead of the opening race of the season. We have a lot of work to do, but we have had a productive opening week with the new FW43 and are looking forward to evolving the performance next week.





Nicholas Latifi: It wasn’t the day I had hoped for in terms of running. I mirrored George’s programme from yesterday in terms of the sequence, with a lot of aero runs in the morning, and then I was able to get a few pushing laps before we saw some potential problems in the PU data.


However, the guys did a great job to rebuild the car and get me back out there. We had a busy last hour of the day, testing lots of items and maximising the running time. The lack of track time was unfortunate, but that’s how testing goes sometimes. Hopefully we can make up for the mileage we missed next week.





Pos.    Driver    Team    Best Time    Total Laps


1.    V. Bottas    Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team    1:15.732    65
2.    L. Hamilton    Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team    1:16.516    73
3.    E. Ocon    Renault F1 Team    1:17.102    76
4.    L. Stroll    BWT Racing Point F1 Team    1:17.338    116
5.    D. Kvyat    Scuderia AlphaTauri Honda    1:17.427    62
6.    A. Giovinazzi    Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN    1:17.469    152
7.    D. Ricciardo    Renault F1 Team    1:17.574    93
8.    M. Verstappen    Aston Martin Red Bull Racing    1:17.636    86
9.    P. Gasly    Scuderia AlphaTauri Honda    1:17.783    59
10.    A. Albon    Aston Martin Red Bull Racing    1:18.154    83
11.    C. Sainz    McLaren F1 Team    1:18.274    76
12.    R. Grosjean    Haas F1 Team    1:18.380    48
13.    S. Vettel    Scuderia Ferrari Mission Winnow    1:18.384    100
14.    L. Norris    McLaren F1 Team    1:18.454    49
15.    N. Latifi    ROKiT Williams Racing    1:19.004    72
16.    K. Magnussen    Haas F1 Team    1:19.709    4




The FW43 returns to the track next week in Barcelona with Nicholas Latifi and George Russell sharing the driving duties.




SOPHIE OGG - photos Williams