“All I can say is it was a very productive day. We can be happy with
what we’ve done. It’s a good starting point to work away.”
Di Resta underlined, however, the smoke and mirrors nature of what can unfold
during a test, as occurred a year ago in Jerez.
“We achieved 101 laps on the first day out, which means mileage and
reliability were good, which is always a positive,” Di Resta told Press
Association Sport.
“Now, all this test is about is gathering information. It’s not about
performance.
“Somebody asked me earlier ‘Who was fastest at this test last year?’ and
I didn’t know, and then they told me it was Rubens (Barrichello, then with
Williams).
“I couldn’t tell you who was then fastest in the Barcelona test last
year, but I could tell you who was on pole at the first race.
“That’s all this test is fundamentally about, correlating what is
happening back at the factory to ensure the next upgrade we bring before
Melbourne works.
“So you just need to make sure the car is the same as the information
you are getting from the wind tunnel.”
One bonus for Di Resta this week is that he has cousins and fellow
professional racers Dario and Marino Franchitti to keep him company.
Di Resta added: “They came down and did some training with me before
Jerez, and then they came here with me. They were actually at this test last
year.
“It’s good for them to come down and see what is happening in Formula
One because it correlates over to what they’re up to.
“If the time is there I always go and see them. It’s nice to have them
about, and it’s nice to have the support.”
Jerez winter testing, lunchtime results:
1. Michael Schumacher (GER/Mercedes-AMG) 1:18.622 30 laps
2. Mark Webber (AUS/Red Bull-Renault) 1:19.184 44
3. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Toro Rosso-Ferrari) 1:19.605 32
4. Jules Bianchi (FRA/Force India-Mercedes) 1:20.221 38
5. Jenson Button (GBR/McLaren-Mercedes) 1:20.727 18
6. Kimi Rdikkvnen (FIN/Lotus-Renault) 1:20.951 12
7. Felipe Massa (BRA/Ferrari) 1:21.060 29
8. Pastor Maldonado (VEN/Williams-Renault) 1:21.197 45
9. Sergio Pirez (MEX/Sauber-Ferrari) 1:21.289 35
10. Heikki Kovalainen (FIN/Caterham-Renault) 1:21.518 55
11. Pedro de la Rosa (ESP/HRT-Cosworth) 1:24.736 9