F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Red Bull clocks 277 laps in sunny Abu Dhabi Pirelli test

Red Bull reserve driver Pierre Gasly has completed a mammoth 277 laps of Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit during Pirelli's latest slick tyre test ahead of the 2017 season.

Driving a modified version of the 2015-spec RB11 that simulates next year’s increased downforce loads, the Frenchman enjoyed hot and sunny weather throughout the three-day test to clock 81, 103, and 93 laps respectively.

The warm conditions were in stark contrast to what Mercedes had encountered in Barcelona earlier this week when rain and low temperatures had hindered Nico Rosberg and Pascal Wehrlein’s progress at the Spanish Grand Prix venue, with both driver combining for only 91 laps across two days.

Pirelli, which has been pushing to have next year’s pre-season testing held in Bahrain to ensure optimum preparations for the radical bodywork and tyre changes slated for introduction, was quick to use Barcelona’s cold weather to back his stance.

Red Bull is one of three teams, along with Ferrari and Mercedes, that supply mule cars to help Pirelli test its wider 2017-spec products, with the dimensions increasing from 245mm to 305mm at the front and from 325mm to 405mm at the rear.

F1i Classic - Masten Gregory - The 'Kansas City flash'

Silbermann investigates the potential EU threat to F1's Liberty Media deal

2017 F1 driver line-ups so far

TECHNICAL ANALYSIS: Suzuka

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Julien Billiotte

Recent Posts

Symonds joins Andretti's F1 bid as engineering consultant

Mere hours after it was reported that Pat Symonds had stepped down from his role…

7 hours ago

Albon details wheel-nut drama that ruined Imola race

Alex Albon shed light on his disastrous afternoon of racing in the Emilia Romagna countryside…

8 hours ago

RB drivers agree poor race starts hurting team’s results

RB drivers Yuki Tsunoda and Daniel Ricciardo both agreed after last Sunday’s Emilia Romagna Grand…

9 hours ago

McLaren rolls out special ‘Senna’ livery for Monaco GP

McLaren has announced that it will indulge in another tribute to the legendary Ayrton Senna…

11 hours ago

Formula 1’s Pat Symonds steps down from CTO role

Formula 1 has reportedly bid farewell to a longtime architect of its technical regulations, Pat…

12 hours ago

Monaco 1950: Ferrari's debut and Fangio's maiden triumph in F1

The Monaco Grand Prix held on this day in 1950 was marked by two historical…

13 hours ago