F1 Abu Dhabi Test, Day 1: Bottas leads in the morning

Valtteri Bottas with her Williams he is the fastest in the first test session in Abu Dhabi.
The Finn preceded the Mercedes di Rosberg , Ferrari di Raikkonen. Timeless there Toro Rosso di Verstappen which went off the track at the beginning of the session due to a problem with the front suspension. However, the long-awaited event was never seen McLaren-Honda: the team let it be known that due to some electrical problems they preferred to proceed with further checks before shooting.
The drivers were engaged in various aerodynamic tests on the single-seaters, which already feature various updates in view of next season. On the Caterham of Stevens and the Clean of Ericsson were also seen for the first time Pirelli Medium 2015.
The appointment is at 11.00, Italian time, with the afternoon session.

News – It's a new day at the Yas Marina Circuit with a completely different atmosphere from the festive and unforgettable one on Sunday evening, when Lewis Hamilton was crowned 2014 World Champion. But the Circus (almost) never stops and the teams and drivers are already back on track for the first appointment with the winter tests. When the traffic lights come on, Nico Rosberg is the first to launch himself in his Mercedes. Little by little the other drivers also follow him and then return to the pits after the usual installation laps. Once the first fifteen minutes have passed, however, when it's time to go back to running, the first red flag waves: Verstappen's Toro Rosso is stopped on the track.
The drivers involved in the first day of testing in Abu Dhabi are Rosberg, Sainz Jr, Raikkonen, Vandoorne, Pic, Palmer, Ericsson, Verstappen, Bottas and Stevens.

After a thirty minute stop - to remove the oil left on the track by Toro Rosso at Turn 19 - the traffic light is green again and Bottas in the Williams is the first to leave the pits. Ericsson's Sauber equipped with raked wings follows him: the Swiss team has aerodynamic tests scheduled in the morning while in the afternoon it will focus on the tires. After the first hour the first times also arrive: Palmer (Force India) – 1:49.758, Stevens (Caterham) – 1:51.067, Rosberg – 2:20.396.

After an hour and a half only three stopped the clock, with Palmer's Force India currently the fastest with a time of 1:48.356. Still no sign of McLaren-Honda, already seen on track at Silverstone a few weeks ago, and which will be driven by Stoffel Vandoorne in Abu Dhabi. Pirelli's Medium tires for 2015 make their debut on the track mid-morning. Will Stevens is the first to fit them on his Caterham, while Valtteri Bottas sets a new best time, 1:47.592. Steven's first feedback on the 2015 Pirellis is better grip than usual on the Abu Dhabi track. Meanwhile, the red flag waves for the second time on the track: Palmer's Force India is stopped at Turn 13.

At 08.05 the runway is clear again. This is the provisional time ranking: Valtteri Bottas Williams 10 laps - 1:47.468; Jolyon Palmer Force India 17 laps – 1:48.350; Nico Rosberg Mercedes 11 laps – 1:48.472; Will Stevens Caterham 20 laps – 1:50.457; Marcus Ericsson Sauber 15 laps – 1:51.051; Carlos Sainz Jr Red Bull 15 laps; Charles Pic Lotus 7 laps; Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari 4 laps; Max Verstappen Toro Rosso 2 laps, the last ones still without a time trial. In the meantime, Sebastian Vettel has arrived at the Ferrari garage - who will not however take part in these first tests. Accompanied by Sporting Director Massimo Riviola, the new Ferrari driver met some of the Ferrari's mechanics and engineers.

At the end of the third hour of testing Valtteri Bottas returns to the lead after Rosberg had temporarily taken the lead. Meanwhile, the Team principal of McLaren-Honda Eric Boullier lets it be known in a short briefing with the press that before taking to the track he is checking the car once again.

Bottas leads the group with the best time of 1:45.496, followed by Raikkonen, Rosberg, Ericsson, Palmer, Stevens, Pic, Sainz and Verstappen, the last two without a time. The Toro Rosso driver is forced into the pits due to a problem with his front suspension - which caused him to go off the track in the first minutes of the session - and will return to the wheel in the afternoon.

Half an hour before lunch break Bottas it improves by lapping in 1:43.884 with the Super Soft tyre. Meanwhile, Ericsson also mounts the 2015 Pirellis on the Sauber. The morning session is postponed until 13.10pm local time, but the McLaren-Honda for now she hasn't been seen: Boullier explained that further checks on the single-seater were necessary due to some electrical problems. Force India announced that Palmer's stop was caused by an engine problem, while Saiz Jr set the fourth time with a time of 1:47.257.
Verstappen makes a brief appearance while Raikkonen improves his time to 1:46.016.
The checkered flag waves at Yas Marina Tour and thus the morning session ends, with Bottas in command.

Nina Stefanelli