Pascal Wehrlein completes successful F1 test

HWA AG driver Pascal Wehrlein was on duty today at the Red Bull Ring, in his role of reserve driver for the Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 team. The German driver was overall fastest in a day hampered by the rain.

Wehrlein was scheduled to be at the wheel of the F1 W06 Hybrid, but rain caused the Austrian track to be red flagged until midday. In order to not lose the day, the test was extended for two additional hours than what was originally planned.

The team focussed on analysing Power Unit and Control Systems, which they were able to test on the full range of tyres available: extreme wet, intermediate and supersoft.

Pascal Wehrlein was fastest at the end of the day, having completes 67 laps in three different runs, with a best lap time of 1:11.005. The HWA AG driver lamented not getting more track time: “Unfortunately the weather meant that we couldn’t do our full schedule. In fact, we didn’t get any running at all this morning and only managed three runs on dry tyres in the afternoon. But there were definitely some positives at the end.  It was great to be back in a Formula One car again.”

Wehrlein will test an F1 car tomorrow, when he will be on duty for Force India. DTM reigning champion Marco Wittmann will also be present, driving for Toro Rosso.