Hartley bombs out in F1 test

Published: 10:30AM Wednesday December 02, 2009 Source: Reuters

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New Zealander Brendon Hartley made an unfortunate start to his latest Formula One test on Wednesday when he spun his Toro Rosso into the barriers.

He returned to the track later in the morning after the car was repaired but ended the day last on the timesheets.

Meanwhile Spaniard Andy Soucek staked his claim for a Formula One seat with the fastest time for Williams in the first day of young driver testing in southern Spain on Wednesday.

"Today was a dream day; I could imagine myself near the front but I never expected to finish at the top of the times," said the 24-year-old Formula Two champion, who also has Austrian nationality.

"This has been an amazing year for me in terms of motorsport and I think I deserve a seat in Formula One next year. I'm doing everything in my hands to secure a drive and I think my performance in this test will help big time."

First taste

Young Americans Alexander Rossi and JR Hildebrand were others enjoying their first taste of Formula One at the Jerez circuit.

Eighteen-year-old Californian Rossi made his debut for Sauber, who are testing despite BMW having left the sport earlier this month, while Hildebrand was in a Force India.

"Physically I have to say it was as demanding as I expected it would be," said Rossi, who ended the day seventh of the 11 drivers in action.

Hildebrand was 10th overall, but fifth at the end of the morning session that he took part in before handing over to young Scot Paul di Resta, cousin of IndyCar champion Dario Franchitti.

"I was really impressed with the ability of the car. It is different in every way to what I'm used to, both in terms of the outright speed, but also in terms of the characteristics of the car and how it behaves, brakes and drives through corners," said 21-year-old Hildebrand.

Di Resta clocked the second fastest lap while fellow-Briton Gary Paffett was third in the McLaren ahead of 20-year-old Australian Daniel Ricciardo in a Red Bull and France's Jules Bianchi for Ferrari.

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