F1 test in Jerez, second day: Schumacher fastest in the morning

Michael Schumacher set the fastest time in the morning session of the second day of F1 testing in Jerez while Mark Webber was the best of the drivers who ran the 2012 cars.

The Australian set the first benchmark time in 1.19.184, trailing the group by 1"1. While the experts observed the performance of the new Red Bull RB8, Schumacher took the lead in the 2011 Mercedes GP by lapping in 1.18.622 with a series of fast laps. The German then improved by lapping in 1.18.561 and trailing Webber by half a second.

Daniel Ricciardo is third with Toro Rosso while Kimi Raikkonen, first yesterday, completed just four laps before exiting at the Dry Sac corner. The Finn was able to return to the track but damaged his car while crossing the curb. Raikkonen then brought gravel onto the track, forcing the stewards to display the red flag. A further interruption was then necessary to verify the escape route at that point.

Lotus used the break to carry out the necessary repairs and modify the steering column. Raikkonen then returned to the track to set fifth fastest time behind the Force India of Jules Bianchi who completed 46 laps in his role as third driver before making way for Paul di Resta for the afternoon.

Jenson Button is sixth in the McLaren MP4-27, more than two seconds behind Schumacher. Felipe Massa's Ferrari F3 is 2012 tenths behind the Englishman with the Maranello team still busy with aerodynamic evaluations rather than lap times.

Eighth time and 61 laps for Pastor Maldonado with the new Williams while Sergio Perez lapped with the new Sauber ahead of Heikki Kovalainen (Caterham). Pedro de la Rosa's HRT 2011 is the latest.

Second day of testing times in Jerez, Morning:

Pos Driver Team Time Laps 1. Michel Schumacher Mercedes 1m18.561s 53 2. Mark Webber Red Bull 1m19.184s + 0.623 58 3. Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso 1m19.587s + 1.026 41 4. Jules Bianchi Force India 1m20.221s + 1.660 46 5. Kimi Raikkonen Lotus 1m20.239s + 1.678 26 6. Jenson Button McLaren 1m20.688s + 2.127 25 7. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1m21.060s + 2.499 38 8. Pastor Maldonado Williams 1m21.197s + 2.636 61 9. Sergio Perez Sauber 1m21.289 .2.728s + 35 10 1. Heikki Kovalainen Caterham 21.518m2.957s + 78 11 1. Pedro de la Rosa HRT 23.468m4.907s + 23 XNUMX