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F1: Jules Bianchi leads the way in first day of young driver test

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Khatir Soltani
French driver Jules Bianchi, driving a Ferrari F2012 set the fastest time in the first day of the young driver test held at the Magny-Cours circuit in the centre of France.

Bianchi, who contests the Formula Renault 3.5 series this season has also been the Sahara Force India test driver.

Jules Bianchi, Ferrari
Jules Bianchi, Ferrari (Photo: WRI2)

Jules Bianchi is also the test driver of the Scuderia Ferrari and today he completed 87 laps of the French circuit, setting the best time of the day in 1m18.070. The day’s running finished slightly ahead of schedule because of an electrical problem.

Luiz Razia, Sahara Force India
Luiz Razia, Sahara Force India (Photo: WRI2)

GP2 series' driver Luiz Razia was second in the Mercedes-powered Sahara Force India, half a second down to Bianchi. The team had a few technical issues in the morning that limited Razia's running.

Briton Sam Bird spent the day behind the wheel of the Mercedes AMG W03 that featured a heavily revised exhaust layout.

Tomorrow, Bird will be back in the Mercedes as Bianchi will switch to the Force India and the Ferrari will be driven by Italian Davide Rigon.

Pos. Driver Car Time* Laps
1 Jules Bianchi Ferrari 1:18.070 87
2 Luiz Razia Force India 1:18.535 65
3 Sam Bird Mercedes AMG 1:19.094 95
*Unofficial timing


Khatir Soltani
Khatir Soltani
Automotive expert
  • Over 6 years experience as a car reviewer
  • Over 50 test drives in the last year
  • Involved in discussions with virtually every auto manufacturer in Canada