Young Driver Test : Ricciardo remains unbeaten

Formula One’s Young Driver Test concluded today after two days of running.

Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo consistently set the pace on the Yas Marina Circuit and was unbeaten as he made the most of the perfect track conditions to clock a 1’38’’102, more than a full second faster than Sebastian Vettel’s pole position time.

Jérôme d’Ambrosio also impressed and set the second fastest time at the wheel of the Renault R30. The Virgin Racing Team will surely have monitored his progress closely as they consider him as a potential replacement for Lucas di Grassi.

Sam Bird looked equally impressive in the Mercedes. The British driver was third fastest ahead of McLaren’s reserve driver Gary Paffett and Ferrari’s latest recruit Jules Bianchi.

This afternoon’s session was interrupted three times. GP2 Asia Series champion Davide Valsecchi spun his HRT F110 while GP2 Main Series champion Pastor Maldonado stopped on track - as a sensor warning forced a precautionary shutdown of his Williams Cosworth’s engine.

Jean-Eric Vergne’s morning session ended slightly earlier than expected because of an engine-related issue. The Frenchman didn’t complete the afternoon session as he had to rush off to Macau for this weekend’s Formula 3 Grand Prix.

He still finished the day in 9th place ahead of Force India’s Yelmer Buurman.

Sauber’s Sergio Perez was also in action today, as well as Luiz Razia, Josef Kral, Rodolfo Gonzalez and Vladimir Arabadzhiev.

The young guns will be replaced by the teams’ regular drivers tomorrow for the official Pirelli Test.

All the pictures are available here.