Valencia test: Vettel already fastest

Formula One winter testing started today, at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit, with many of the new cars in attendance.

Reigning World Champion Sebastian Vettel started the year in style and posted the fastest time of the day at the wheel of the freshly unveiled RB7.

He was quickest than Hulkenberg, Force India’s reserve driver, and Gary Paffett, McLaren’s third driver. Both of them were driving their respective team’s 2010 cars.

The main targets for the teams today were to get to grips with their new cars – for those who have them running – while evaluating the latest Pirelli tyres.

It was a troublesome day for Mercedes GP whose new car suffered some hydraulic leaks. Nico Rosberg still declared himself happy with it. His teammate Michael Schumacher took over in the afternoon but could complete only 15 laps.

Williams lost some time in the morning with KERS related issues while Ferrari’s Alonso had some problem at the end of the session. He briefly stopped on track before limping back in the pits.

Virgin’s rookie Jérôme d’Ambrosio set an impressive 7th fastest time at the wheel of the VR-01.

Testing will resume tomorrow at 9am. Team Lotus is scheduled to join the action with its new TF128.

Fastest lap times of the day :