Barcelona test - Day 1 - McLaren Mercedes

Date Tuesday May 13 2014 Driver Jenson Button Location Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya (4.655km) Laps/km 74/344 Best laptime 1m28.333s

Programme

The second of this year’s in-season test sessions kicked off at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya today, offering McLaren a useful opportunity to refine and evaluate the MP4-29 after a difficult weekend in last week’s Spanish Grand Prix.

Overnight rain meant a slow start to the morning’s running, with Jenson and the team electing to complete a brief run on Pirelli’s Intermediate tyre before calling an early stop for lunch.

With the track drying into the afternoon, the team pressed on with the programme, conducting aero correlation work while also evaluating some new components – which provided several interesting areas for potential future development.

Notwithstanding seven red-flag stoppages and a further mid-afternoon rain shower, Jenson and the team completed a useful 74 laps.

8th - Jenson Button - McLaren - 1m28.333s - 74 laps

What’s next?

On Wednesday, our test and reserve driver Stoffel Vandoorne will try a Formula 1 car for the very first time. It’s an ideal first opportunity for the young Belgian: the day will be solely focused on undertaking development work for Pirelli, therefore providing him with a consistent baseline from which to learn about and understand the car.

With good weather forecast, the team also aims to provide Stoffel with an opportunity to complete 300km – the minimum mileage required to earn a Formula 1 Superlicence.

McLaren Mercedes