Abu Dhabi GP: Williams Friday practice report

Objectives P1
- Mechanical, aero and fuel systems checks

Objectives P2
- Long runs for race balance, brake wear analysis, tyre compares, starts

Conclusions -- Rod Nelson, Chief Operations Engineer

"As with any new circuit, it is very important to get out for maximum track time. The circuit is very professional and immaculately presented, however, being near the desert, it is sandy which possibly coloured the times we saw today. Looking at our tyre tests, we have plenty to think about overnight. It will be interesting to see what condition the track starts in tomorrow as it certainly improved significantly over the course of today."

Nico Rosberg

Runs P1: 1 new prime (1 lap) install, 2 new prime (8 laps) baseline, 3 scrubbed prime (6 laps) aero test, 4 scrubbed prime (5 laps) aero test, 5 scrubbed prime (7 laps) fuel system test

Runs P2: 1 scrubbed prime (5 laps) baseline run, 2 new option (10 laps) long run race tyre test, 3 new prime (10 laps) long run race tyre test, 4 scrubbed prime (7 laps) mechanical set-up test, 5 new option (7 laps) qualifying analysis, grid start.

I enjoyed driving the track for the first time today. It was dirty to begin with and then of course in the second session we were interested in the artificial lighting conditions in the dark and the effect on the tyres of the temperature dropping. Visibility-wise it was fine in the second practice session and again, the temperature change didn't seem to have too big an effect on us. The more unknown element is the choice of tyre and it is hard to say which is better. In terms of set-up, we have definitely found a direction especially on the mechanical side. All in all, a good day which has given me confidence that we can score some points here this weekend.

Kazuki Nakajima

Runs P1: 1 new prime (1 lap) install, 2 scrubbed prime (9 laps) baseline, 3 scrubbed prime (8 laps) aero test, 4 scrubbed prime (7 laps) fuel system test

Runs P2: 1 scrubbed prime (4 laps) baseline run, 2 new prime (9 laps) long run race tyre test, 3 new option (9 laps) long run race tyre test, 4 new option (6 laps) qualifying analysis, 5 scrubbed option (7 laps) aero & mechanical set-up test, grid start

"It was an interesting day, running P1 in the daylight and P2 in the evening. The track has improved a lot and we have spent a useful day finding a set-up direction. The tyre selection is quite tricky, which will be the key factor we will look at tomorrow."

-credit: williams