Vergne dominates day one of Abu Dhabi test

Formula Renault 3.5 runner-up Jean-Eric Vergne commandingly topped the first day of F1’s young driver test in Abu Dhabi.

Driving for reigning world champions Red Bull the Frenchman completed 83 laps at the Yas Marina circuit, recording a best time of 1m40.0011. He beat countryman Jules Bianchi (Ferrari) by nine tenths in what was an assured display from the 2010 British F3 champion.

The performance strengthens Vergne’s claim for a Toro Rosso race seat in 2012. The Frenchman stated during the Abu Dhabi weekend that he is actively seeking a full-time race berth with the Italian outfit having acted as third driver at a handful of races this season.

The man who beat Vergne to this year’s 3.5 crown, Canadian Robert Wickens, was third fastest for Renault, with Swiss GP2 racer Fabio Leimer P4 for Sauber. Gary Paffett was fifth quickest for McLaren, though the experienced Brit more focused on development work than many of his young counterparts.

Meanwhile Charles Pic made his debut for the Virgin team in what is likely to be a prelude to a full-time seat with the Anglo-Russian squad in 2012. The Frenchman shared the car with GP3 racer Adrian Quaife-Hobbs, beating the Brit by three tenths of a second.

• 1. Jean-Eric Vergne Red Bull 1m40.011s
• 2. Jules Bianchi Ferrari 1m40.960s
• 3. Robert Wickens Renault 1m42.217s
• 4. Fabio Leimer Sauber 1m42.331s
• 5. Gary Paffett McLaren 1m42.912s
• 6. Max Chilton Force India 1m43.016s
• 7. Valtteri Bottas Williams 1m43.118s
• 8. Oliver Turvey McLaren 1m43.502s
• 9. Sam Bird Mercedes 1m43.548s
• 10. Rodolfo Gonzalez Lotus 1m44.022s
• 11. Stefano Coletti Toro Rosso 1m45.278s
• 12. Dani Clos HRT 1m45.329s
• 13. Charles Pic Virgin 1m46.930s
• 14. Adrian Quaife-Hobbs Virgin 1m47.292s