Mercedes and Nico Rosberg had a seemingly trouble free opening day in Jerez as the W06 circulated the Spanish circuit 157 times, 84 more than the second highest tally set by Sauber.
“It was a really good first day. For me it was the best one I’ve seen in terms of mileage and reliability” Mercedes team principle, Toto Wolff said in an interview with AUTOSPORT.
“We didn’t push the limits in terms of the car and its systems.”
Nico Rosberg initially set the pace with a 1:23.1 early on before being pipped by Vettel’s Ferrari and Ericsson’s Sauber later in the afternoon. It was Mercedes’ reliability and intense schedule which really impressed on day 1 of the Jerez test.
“That was the goal in the beginning to do a lot of mileage. Of course, I’m feeling a bit of pain here and there because to do it on the first day when the body’s not used to it, that was many, many laps!” Rosberg told Sky Sports.
“But it was a good day because that was our target as in the end you see what the problems were with the car. The other good thing is we haven’t found any major problems yet, which is always a good thing.”
Lewis Hamilton will take over the wheel for the second day.
Image courtesy of MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS
