Jerez first 2014 test Test day three
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Increased security, civil police and guard dogs - it can only mean one thing. Fernando Alonso is at Jerez for his first day aboard the new Ferrari F14 T.
It's day three of the first pre-season test at the Spanish track. Welcome back.
It's day three of the first pre-season test at the Spanish track. Welcome back.
Fernando Alonso F1 Ferrari 2014
Alonso's arrival is part of the en masse changes that typically accompany the halfway mark of each four day test.
But there's something else new today: we're hoping to see Marussia's new car rolled out for the first time.
The team had been hoping to join the test from the start, but was forced to hold its car in its UK factory because of a last-minute technical glitch.
But there's something else new today: we're hoping to see Marussia's new car rolled out for the first time.
The team had been hoping to join the test from the start, but was forced to hold its car in its UK factory because of a last-minute technical glitch.
So who else are we looking forward to seeing today?
For starters, Daniel Ricciardo is set for his first official test as a Red Bull driver, taking over the reigns from reigning champion Sebastian Vettel.
The RB10 hasn't exactly enjoyed a smooth start however, with Red Bull forced to end day two early due to a battery problem.
For starters, Daniel Ricciardo is set for his first official test as a Red Bull driver, taking over the reigns from reigning champion Sebastian Vettel.
The RB10 hasn't exactly enjoyed a smooth start however, with Red Bull forced to end day two early due to a battery problem.
Here is the full line-up for day three:
Ricciardo, Red Bull
Hamilton, Mercedes
Alonso, Ferrari
Button/Magnussen, McLaren*
Hulkenberg, Force India
Sutil, Sauber
Vergne, Toro Rosso
Massa, Williams
Chilton, Marussia
Frijns, Caterham
* Button to take the morning of day three after the team didn't run on day one
Ricciardo, Red Bull
Hamilton, Mercedes
Alonso, Ferrari
Button/Magnussen, McLaren*
Hulkenberg, Force India
Sutil, Sauber
Vergne, Toro Rosso
Massa, Williams
Chilton, Marussia
Frijns, Caterham
* Button to take the morning of day three after the team didn't run on day one
We're green, and we have immediate action as Massa heads out for his first run as a Williams driver.
Robin Frijns, Caterham's new number three, joins the track.
The ex-Sauber reserve and 2012 Formula Renault 3.5 champion was a strong contender for a 2014 race seat according to team owner Tony Fernandes. Good to see him getting track time already.
The ex-Sauber reserve and 2012 Formula Renault 3.5 champion was a strong contender for a 2014 race seat according to team owner Tony Fernandes. Good to see him getting track time already.
Alonso makes it three, joining former team-mate Massa out on circuit. Which feels a little strange to see.
Good news for Toro Rosso, good news for Renault - after sitting out the entirety of day two, Jean-Eric Vergne exits the pitlane.
He's joined by Lewis Hamilton, returning for his second day in the Mercedes W05.
The Briton made a positive start to the 2014 season on day one, before a front-wing failure curtailed his running. Team-mate Nico Rosberg then took charge for day two and racked up 97 laps.
The Briton made a positive start to the 2014 season on day one, before a front-wing failure curtailed his running. Team-mate Nico Rosberg then took charge for day two and racked up 97 laps.
We have a car stopped on the pitlane entry. We can't see what it is yet, as it is quickly surrounded by mechanics.
Lewis Hamilton F1 Mercedes 2014
So, five runners in the first eight minutes. All but one dive straight back into the pits - Hamilton has stayed out and comes round for what could be the first flyer of the day.
Looks like it was the Caterham that stopped entering the pitlane, with Frijns being wheeled back to the team's garage as we type.
Hamilton doesn't complete that lap, meaning we have quiet after a busy opening.
Hamilton doesn't complete that lap, meaning we have quiet after a busy opening.
Breaking news
If you're just joining us, here are the main themes to look forward to:
* Is Renault back in business after a troubled second day?
* Alonso takes over at Ferrari
* Massa's first runs in a Williams
* New Marussia will break cover
* Is Renault back in business after a troubled second day?
* Alonso takes over at Ferrari
* Massa's first runs in a Williams
* New Marussia will break cover
Twitter
Felipe Massa F1 Williams 2014
@WilliamsF1Team: "Felipe is officially a Williams driver! He looks good in blue we reckon...
Plan for today is a bit of aero work and then just generally putting some miles on the #FW36 to check all systems & parts #Jerez."
Caterham reports that a software issue stalled the car as Frijns entered the pitlane.
Jenson Button becomes our sixth driver to head out.
The Briton was only scheduled to take part in the first two days, but after McLaren failed to get out on day one it confirmed Button will run this morning, before handing over to rookie Kevin Magnussen.
The Briton was only scheduled to take part in the first two days, but after McLaren failed to get out on day one it confirmed Button will run this morning, before handing over to rookie Kevin Magnussen.
Button comes back to the pitlane and is wheeled back into the garage amid a swarm of photographers.
McLaren was the centre of attention yesterday morning when the delayed emergence of its MP4-29 gave us a first look at the car's rear suspension.
It was immediately clear that McLaren had come up with an innovation, as AUTOSPORT's technical expert GARY ANDERSON explains:
Gary Anderson's analysis: McLaren's suspension 'blockers'
It was immediately clear that McLaren had come up with an innovation, as AUTOSPORT's technical expert GARY ANDERSON explains:
Gary Anderson's analysis: McLaren's suspension 'blockers'
Alonso breaks the silence, and then stays out. Vergne heads out for his second run of the day in the Toro Rosso.
Fernando Alonso F1 Ferrari 2014
Alonso, sporting "aero mapping" sensors, moves onto four laps for the morning.
Stopwatch
We have our first time of the day, as Vergne comes round in a 1m53.181s. Safe to say that will fall significantly.
Vergne improves to a 1m52.368s.
Alonso pits, while Hamilton heads out.
Alonso pits, while Hamilton heads out.
Button heads out for his second run of the day.
The Briton said yesterday that it was immediately apparent that McLaren's new challenger does not have the same "issues" that plagued the team last season.
Too early to make that call? You can read it in full here.
The Briton said yesterday that it was immediately apparent that McLaren's new challenger does not have the same "issues" that plagued the team last season.
Too early to make that call? You can read it in full here.
Hamilton pits, but Frijns and Massa head out for Caterham and Williams respectively.
Both men return after single exploratory laps, and we have a temporary lull.
We've already had a collective 21 laps after just 40 minutes of day three, but we haven't seen everyone yet.
Red Bull remains the most obvious absentee, but we're also yet to see anything from Force India or Sauber - while Marussia is still hard at work trying to roll its car out for the first time.
Red Bull remains the most obvious absentee, but we're also yet to see anything from Force India or Sauber - while Marussia is still hard at work trying to roll its car out for the first time.
Breaking news
Magazine
You could use this lull to run to the nearest newsagent to buy your copy of this week's AUTOSPORT magazine, which is now on sale, or you could read the digital version:
AUTOSPORT's F1 2014 launch special
It's an expanded edition covering all the F1 unveilings so far in depth, with our technical expert GARY ANDERSON's verdicts on the designs plus exclusive interviews with drivers and team personnel from up and down the pitlane.
Twitter
Sauber has been showing off its new recruit in the pitlane. He even has his own hashtag:
@OfficialSF1Team: "#SuperSutil all suited up catching some sun before his first run."
@OfficialSF1Team: "#SuperSutil all suited up catching some sun before his first run."
Hamilton heads out for his fifth lap of the day, moments before Vergne (leading the way on six) joins him on track.
Stopwatch
In between tweeting, Hamilton goes top for Mercedes with a 1m36.344s.
Incidentally, Alonso holds the second fastest lap of the day, even though he pitted and therefore crossed the line en route to his garage.
Incidentally, Alonso holds the second fastest lap of the day, even though he pitted and therefore crossed the line en route to his garage.
Stopwatch
Scratch that, Alonso holds the top spot now.
Moments after Massa goes fastest, Alonso pips his former team-mate with a 1m29.267s.
Moments after Massa goes fastest, Alonso pips his former team-mate with a 1m29.267s.
Stopwatch
Fernando Alonso F1 Ferrari 2014
Alonso improves again next time round, this time posting a 1m27.515s.
Incidentally, temperatures are still very low - both air and track are just seven degrees C at the moment.
Alonso brings that seven-lap stint to a close. He lowered the benchmark several times, eventually getting down to a 1m26.321s.
Which is a neat time to recap the order after the first hour (and a bit):
1 Alonso (Ferrari) 1m26.321s, 12 laps
2 Massa (Williams) 1m33.087s, 5 laps
3 Hamilton (Mercedes) 1m36.344, 10 laps
4 Vergne (Toro Rosso) 1m45.525s, 13 laps
5 Button (McLaren) no time, 5 laps
6 Frijns (Caterham) no time, 3 laps
1 Alonso (Ferrari) 1m26.321s, 12 laps
2 Massa (Williams) 1m33.087s, 5 laps
3 Hamilton (Mercedes) 1m36.344, 10 laps
4 Vergne (Toro Rosso) 1m45.525s, 13 laps
5 Button (McLaren) no time, 5 laps
6 Frijns (Caterham) no time, 3 laps
Adrian Sutil makes it seven for the day, heading out for his first lap as a Sauber driver.
Sutil heads straight back in, but Hamilton moves the other way and heads for his 12th lap of the day - which is enough to put him second overall.
Four laps so far for Hamilton, and every one has brought an improvement. His latest effort is a 1m29.519s.
And as the Briton clocks up his 15th lap of the day, Red Bull's ongoing absence is becoming increasingly conspicuous.
By: Sam Tremayne, Matt Beer, Kevin Turner, Pablo Elizalde
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