Gearbox problem stops RB5's first test
Red Bull Racing were forced to end the first test of their new RB5 at Jerez today early after being hit by a gearbox problem
Sebastian Vettel was able to complete only 14 laps before the team opted to stop their test and investigate high gearbox oil temperatures before returning to action tomorrow morning.
"Unfortunately we haven't achieved what was on the schedule," said Vettel. "We were hoping for more mileage but for precautionary reasons, to save the parts and the car, we decided to stop.
"The gearbox oil temperature went high and we did not know why, so we decided to stop. It takes quite some time to take the gearbox off, especially when the car is new and the mechanics are not yet in the rhythm. During the season we will be much quicker, but now everything is new."
With so little running, Vettel was unwilling to draw any conclusions about the performance of the new car.
"We did 14 laps, so it's very difficult to say," he said. "We haven't yet done any real running because we were on the circuit, but not at full speed. Then early in the day we faced the problem with the gearbox - that's why it's too early to say."
Vettel will return to the track tomorrow morning for the first day of a full four-day test, during which he will run on alternate days with teammate Mark Webber.
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