Friday: Very good feelings for the champion team, Brawn GP
Brawn GP started the final race weekend of the 2009 season in the best possible way. The British team dominates the scene without having secured the best times in free practice sessions 1 and 2. They leave the glory to McLaren and prefer to position themselves as underdogs just ahead of Red Bull, which is […]
Brawn GP started the final race weekend of the 2009 season in the best possible way. The British team dominates the scene without having secured the best times in free practice sessions 1 and 2. They leave the glory to McLaren and prefer to position themselves as underdogs just ahead of Red Bull, which is not far behind.
Jenson Button therefore achieved the 2nd and 3rd fastest times in both sessions, while Rubens Barrichello was slightly further back but well placed in the top 10 and even in the top 8. With the 4th and 8th fastest times, they show his direct competitor for the weekend, Vettel, that he will have to be reckoned with even if the German has taken a slight advantage on the eve of the third test session.
Jenson Button – 2nd and 3rd:
« The Yas Marina circuit is certainly interesting. When you look at the layout, it doesn’t seem that exciting, but when you actually drive it, it’s fantastic. The track has a bit of everything with slow and fast corners, bumps, the walls are quite close, and we go counterclockwise. We had a good first day of testing with just a small issue with the balance of the car that we will work on all night. »
Rubens Barrichello – 4th and 8th:
« First of all, I’m really satisfied with this new track here in Abu Dhabi. It feels like a thrilling ride. It’s very challenging to drive, which is actually much more fun for the drivers. The car has been good here over the two sessions, and we were able to make several improvements throughout the day. I’m quite satisfied with the balance and looking forward to tomorrow. »
Ross Brawn – Team Principal
« Yas Marina Circuit boasts stunning infrastructure credited to Abu Dhabi, Bernie [Ecclestone], Philippe Gurdjian, and all their teams. The Spa track is very interesting with some good combinations and is quite challenging for the drivers. The Abu Dhabi circuit seems to benefit from this experience. We are pleased with our testing program for Friday. The track was very dirty at the beginning of the first session, with high temperatures, but it was a good opportunity for the drivers to get familiar with the new track. The temperature dropped suddenly in the second session, which is consistent with what we expected. The qualifications and the race should take place under the same conditions with efficient tire and aerodynamic settings. »
