2
Fernando Alonso says that the crash he was involved in at the post-season test in Abu Dhabi was just a small kiss. Pirelli hosted its usual after season running, this time fitting the cars with the new tyres for the 2018 season.
Next year's tyres will be softer, with two new compounds being introduced. The first day of testing took place on Tuesday, with Alonso behind the wheel of the MCL32. He crashed beneath the Viceroy Hotel at Turn 19, but brushed it off.
"It's been very useful for us to have a read on the 2018 tyres," he said. "They felt good, I felt the performance was there and the degradation was under control, so generally I had a good feeling. I had a small kiss with the wall this morning and we lost some track time, but the mechanics did an amazing job to fix the car so we could go out again before lunch."
McLaren was also running a second car in Abu Dhabi, as Pirelli missed out on testing at Brazil amid fears of security. Oliver Turvey was in the cockpit of the second car, and stated afterwards that he was pleased with his day.
"This opportunity came up quite last-minute, but it was a nice surprise to be able to come to Abu Dhabi for the test," he said. "It's been good to have another opportunity to drive the MCL32 and work with Pirelli on tyre development, and to really get a good feeling for the car.
"Today has been very beneficial because I've driven on this track previously with McLaren, so it's been useful to do long runs, get used to the car's handling and find a rhythm," he added.
Fergal Walsh
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
M. Verstappen
V. Bottas
M. Verstappen
175,180 comments on Alpine F1
73 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Fernando Alonso 36,169 comments on Pirelli 2 members have this team as their favourite Tweets about Pirelli
Bahrain
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Portugal
Autódromo Internacional do Algarve
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
Monaco
Monte Carlo
Azerbaijan
Baku City Circuit
France
Paul Ricard
Austria
Red Bull Ring
Austria
Red Bull Ring
United Kingdom
Silverstone
Hungary
Hungaroring
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
Italy
Monza
Russian
Sochi Autodrom
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
Turkey
Istanbul Park
United States of America
Circuit of the Americas
Mexico
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
Brazil
Interlagos
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
United Arab Emirates
Yas Marina Circuit
Replies (2)
Login to replyreg
Posts: 162
Well "kiss me Hardy" as Nelson allegedly said, or in Also's case "kiss me Softly"!
Barron
Posts: 625
“Kismet” Nelson said. Fate.