Raikkonen reunited with Sauber in testing
Kimi Raikkonen reunited with Sauber in testing
17 years after he last put in a lap in a Sauber, Kimi Raikkonen was back behind the wheel as he joined his 2019 team for the post-season Abu Dhabi tyre test.
A day of firsts for several drivers, returns for others, and one or two as you weres.
George Russell’s Formula 1 career began with an installation lap in the Williams FW41.
And we’re off! #f1 #abudhabitest pic.twitter.com/51fIIxjk75
— WILLIAMS RACING (@WilliamsRacing) November 27, 2018
This week’s two-day test is all about the 2019 Pirelli tyres, which as of next season will be called compounds 1, 2 and 3 instead of their compound names.
But for this week’s test the teams will have five compounds available, this year called the hard, medium, soft, ultrasoft and hypersoft.
Hi @PiFitti: good to see you out with @HaasF1Team! Teams will test 2019 tyres over the next two days with current cars as well as the 2018 tyres for comparison purposes. Both will be marked with the usual colours. pic.twitter.com/Edxfd1W9np
— Pirelli Motorsport (@pirellisport) November 27, 2018
And then he emerged, 17 years after his last Sauber run…
Kimi Räikkönen heading out in the Sauber#Kimi7 #AbuDhabiTest
📸 @mara_sangiorgio pic.twitter.com/YqXoliAGqY
— Kimi Räikkönen Fans (@iceman7news) November 27, 2018
Sporting all-white overalls, the 2007 World Champion covered a couple of installation laps before heading back into the pits.
Kimi Räikkönen with his new engineers in the Sauber garage#Kimi7 #AbuDhabiTest pic.twitter.com/TrMXln1R3k
— Kimi Räikkönen Fans (@iceman7news) November 27, 2018
Over at Raikkonen’s former team, Ferrari, it was Sebastian Vettel who was in action in the morning as F1 waited to see Charles Leclerc in the SF71H.
Sebastian Vettel in action at the Pirelli Test, today at @ymcofficial. #F1Testing
📸 @mara_sangiorgio pic.twitter.com/S8MusBqTKn
— Sebastian Vettel #5 (@sebvettelnews) November 27, 2018
It was a good start to the day for Nico Hulkenberg as he succeeded in keeping his RS18 the right way up.
1️⃣6️⃣ laps and counting.#RSspirit #F1Testing pic.twitter.com/Ef6ncpESaK
— Renault Sport F1 (@RenaultSportF1) November 27, 2018
Haas, meanwhile brought out the first red flag as Fittipaldi broke down.
Current status…🙁@PiFitti had to stop on track. Cause of the problem to be investigated.#F1Testing #HaasF1 #F1 pic.twitter.com/brUbmk1Dyg
— Haas F1 Team (@HaasF1Team) November 27, 2018
Lance Stroll was out and about in Force India colours as Sergio Perez drove the VJM11 on Tuesday morning.
Stroll, con sus nuevos colores y su nuevo equipo Racing Point. Esta tarde debuta. @movistar_F1 pic.twitter.com/CbJHXc3omw
— Miguel Portillo (@mportilloES) November 27, 2018
Vettel brought out the second red of the day as he spun at Turn 1 and hit the barrier.
The session was flagged while the marshals recovered his Ferrari and repaired the barrier.
Second red flag in first day #AbuDhabiTest after Vettel spun and hit the wall at T1. With the Ferrari car back to garage, the marshals are repairing the barrier now pic.twitter.com/4JcoKJogHx
— Frankie Mao (@FrankestFrankie) November 27, 2018
2019 McLaren race driver Lando Norris spent more time familiarising himself with the MCL33.
He is one of three F2 drivers joining the grid next season.
Lando laps at @ymcofficial. 🤙#AbuDhabiTest pic.twitter.com/5CLWal28d9
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) November 27, 2018
After lunch, the BIG SHOCK came… Just kidding, we all knew that Lance Stroll was going to be joining Racing Point Force India for next year, didn’t we?
Following lunch, the session resumes with @lance_stroll in the car. #AbuDhabiTest pic.twitter.com/4hYyCiuwpo
— Racing Point Force India F1 (@ForceIndiaF1) November 27, 2018
Force India were not the only team to change drivers at the halfway point of Tuesday’s running.
Robert Kubica got his first go in the Williams since being announced as one of their race drivers for the 2019 season.
Afternoon running underway and it's time for Robert! 🇵🇱#F1 #AbuDhabiTest 🇦🇪 pic.twitter.com/QrdNPJ2UY5
— WILLIAMS RACING (@WilliamsRacing) November 27, 2018
The afternoon session was a little delayed in starting for the Haas team, who had to fit a new power-unit before Pietro Fittipaldi could return to the Yas Marina tarmac.
Afternoon install. ✅ #F1Testing pic.twitter.com/5twpJ05mYU
— Haas F1 Team (@HaasF1Team) November 27, 2018
Tomorrow will see the majority of drivers who didn’t participate today. Pierre Gasly will take his first run in the RB14, for instance.
Max has got us underway today in Abu Dhabi testing 🇦🇪 With Pierre set for his first taste of the #RB14 tomorrow 👊 #F1Testing pic.twitter.com/B7fMeGwVVX
— Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) November 27, 2018
Join us tomorrow for more from the two-day tyre test!
