Nico Rosberg completed 69 laps in testing for Mercedes today as the team ran with KERS operational for the first time.
The German finished the day as the seventh fastest driver as he conducted the team’s programme of systems and reliability checks with the new car.
“It was an interesting day and important that we completed a lot of laps,” said Rosberg. “We ran with part of the KERS system for the first time so much of the focus was on learning how to handle the system. It is challenging but just a matter of getting used to the buttons and how the car feels under braking out on track. Today's running confirmed my initial good feelings about the car. We had a few issues which is normal with a new car but fixed them quickly.”
Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn seemed happy with the day’s efforts. “Today was important for us to get some good mileage on the car and I'm pleased with what we have been able to achieve,” he said. “It has been a learning experience for us all to use KERS for the first time and inevitably we faced some teething problems with the system which should be ironed out quickly enough with further testing. A more positive day in terms of reliability and we completed a number of the key system checks with the new car.”
Michael Schumacher returns to the cockpit tomorrow for the final day of this Valencia test.
