The 2011 Formula 1™ Season was once again preceded by a hectic and unpredictable set of testing sessions throughout February and March.
Not only did the 12 teams have to grapple with the challenge of testing their 2011 cars in the wake of the new F1™ technical regulations, but the previously untested Pirelli tyres – replacing Bridgestone’s familiar rubber this season – provided perhaps the biggest challenge of all.
Early tests suggested that Red Bull would once again set the pace at the start of 2011, with Ferrari close behind. Subsequent sessions, however, hinted at the true pace and reliability of MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS, with Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg topping the timing charts over the pre-season’s final two days of testing.
MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS test report
After their debut season in 2010 MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS went into the winter testing programme with high hopes of being able to compete for podium places and race wins in 2011.
The MGP W02 made its debut at the first test in Valencia but early indicators suggested the car was slightly off the pace of the front runners. Over the course of the four testing sessions, however, the GP team had clocked up an impressive 5,759 kilometres – or 19 race distances – to demonstrate solid reliability potential.
Further upgrades also saw Schumacher and Rosberg setting faster times at the final test in Barcelona, with Schumacher over three-tenths of a second quicker than the second-placed Ferrari of Alonso at the end of the final dry session.
