Skip to main content

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Recommended for you

Five things we learned from MotoGP’s action-packed Dutch GP

Feature
MotoGP
Dutch GP
Five things we learned from MotoGP’s action-packed Dutch GP

Austrian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2026

Formula 1
Austrian GP
Austrian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2026

Mercedes boss questions Ferrari's "limitless" F1 upgrades amid budget cap era

Formula 1
Austrian GP
Mercedes boss questions Ferrari's "limitless" F1 upgrades amid budget cap era

Marquez leads calls for Assen gravel trap changes after slew of Dutch GP crashes

MotoGP
Dutch GP
Marquez leads calls for Assen gravel trap changes after slew of Dutch GP crashes

Why F1's engine-upgrade picture is becoming ever more ludicrous

Feature
Formula 1
Austrian GP
Why F1's engine-upgrade picture is becoming ever more ludicrous

WRC Acropolis Rally Greece: Evans’ WRC lead grows after seatbelt penalties

WRC
Rally Greece
WRC Acropolis Rally Greece: Evans’ WRC lead grows after seatbelt penalties

Wolff: Verstappen factor behind Red Bull's Austrian GP fight against Mercedes

Formula 1
Austrian GP
Wolff: Verstappen factor behind Red Bull's Austrian GP fight against Mercedes

Hamilton and Leclerc confused by woeful Ferrari pace in Austrian GP

Formula 1
Austrian GP
Hamilton and Leclerc confused by woeful Ferrari pace in Austrian GP

Abu Dhabi Young Driver Test: Da Costa tops second day for Red Bull

Antonio Felix da Costa moved Red Bull to the top of the timesheets on the second day of the Abu Dhabi young driver test

On his final day in the RB8 before handing over to this year's Formula Renault 3.5 champion Robin Frijns, the Portuguese driver worked his way down to a 1m42.679s.

While that was just over two hundredths of a second slower than yesterday's fastest time, set by Kevin Magnussen for McLaren, it proved easily enough to end day two on top.

Oliver Turvey, who managed 62 laps in a busy afternoon for McLaren, finished just under half a second down the road in second.

Edoardo Mortara, taking over from Nicolas Prost at Lotus, and Sauber reserve driver Esteban Gutierrez finished the day third and fourth.

The Mexican recently enjoyed his first competitive taste of F1 machinery when he stood in for Sergio Perez, who was struggling with illness, for the first practice session of the Indian Grand Prix.

He was the day's busiest driver, completing 93 laps, and will remain with Sauber for the third and final day tomorrow.

Gary Paffett, on duty for McLaren in the morning before handing over to Turvey, was fifth fastest ahead of Johnny Cecotto Jr (Toro Rosso) and Giedo van der Garde in the Caterham.

The Dutchman focused on aero and set-up work in the morning before switching to long runs and tyre management in the afternoon, racking up 72 laps in total.

Lewis Hamilton sealed pole position for the 2012 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with a best qualifying lap of 1m40.630s.


Pos  Driver                  Team                Time               Laps
 1.  Antonio Felix da Costa  Red Bull-Renault    1m42.679s           61
 2.  Oliver Turvey           McLaren-Mercedes    1m43.176s  + 0.497  62
 3.  Edoardo Mortara         Lotus-Renault       1m43.418s  + 0.739  75
 4.  Esteban Gutierrez       Sauber-Ferrari      1m43.486s  + 0.806  93
 5.  Gary Paffett            McLaren-Mercedes    1m43.771s  + 1.092  41
 6.  Johnny Cecotto Jr       Toro Rosso-Ferrari  1m44.569s  + 1.890  76
 7.  Giedo van der Garde     Caterham-Renault    1m45.106s  + 2.427  72

Previous article F1's superficial thrills in Abu Dhabi
Next article Rowland completes test for winning McLaren AUTOSPORT BRDC Award

Top Comments