China
China's Tung Ho-pin tests with Renault
(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-12-04 09:30
LONDON: China's Tung Ho-pin had his first proper Formula One test when he joined Renault on the second day of a young driver test in southern Spain on Wednesday.
"It was a great experience," the Dutch-born 26-year-old said in a team statement after completing 67 laps of the Jerez circuit with the 11th fastest time of the 12 drivers present.
"To begin with I concentrated on finding a reasonable set-up and then got down to working through the program with the engineers as we tested some parts for the 2010 car," he said.
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Renault's chief race engineer, Alan Permane, said Tung, who drove a Williams' F1 car at Jerez in 2003 after winning that year's Asian Formula BMW series, acquitted himself well. "
I was impressed with Ho-Pin as he settled into the car very quickly and worked well with the team," he said.
"His driving style is quite well suited to an F1 car as he used the tires well, had a good feel for the car and gave us precise feedback."
McLaren test driver Gary Paffett was quickest overall ahead of Williams' young German Nico Hulkenberg, the only confirmed 2010 race driver taking part in the three-day test.
Australian Daniel Ricciardo, eyeing a reserve driver role with Red Bull, was third fastest according to the unofficial timing. Briton Paul di Resta was fourth for Force India.
Belgian Bertrand Baguette, who tested for Renault on Tuesday, will be back today at the wheel of a BMW-Sauber.
The Swiss-based team is testing despite BMW's exit from the sport to fulfil promises made to winners in the Formula BMW series. Mexican teenager Esteban Gutierrez drove on Wednesday.
Now back in the hands of founder Peter Sauber, the team is yet to sign any drivers for 2010 while it awaits confirmation of its entry from the governing FIA.
Reuters
