Test report – Bahrain day three

Date Saturday March 1 2014

Driver Kevin Magnussen

Location Bahrain International Circuit (5.412km)

Laps/km 88/476

Best laptime 1m35.894s

This was Kevin’s last opportunity to sample the MP4-29 before Australia. His morning’s running was interrupted by a small problem that required a long stop to cure – nonetheless, like Jenson yesterday, he was able to get back on track before the end of the morning’s session, and got a sizeable number of laps under his belt before the end of the day

The afternoon’s programme also enabled Kevin to run through a simulation of a race weekend, including the opportunity to run some fast laps on softer tyres, and also to try a race simulation – albeit one hit by a red-flag stoppage and a visit to the pits.

Speaking afterwards, he said: “We had some electrical problems in the morning, but sorted them pretty quickly, and complete most of today’s run-programme. Today’s laptimes from both Williams and Mercedes look very quick, but I don’t think any of the teams have been running to identical programmes, so it’s still hard to say.

“As a team, we’re not quite there yet, but we have more to come. Our car feels like it has potential – unlike last year’s car, where you could feel its problems when you were driving. This year, it feels like an F1 car.

“In terms of preparation, you always feel like you can do more – if we had more time, we wouldn’t stop! But, from a driving perspective, I think I’ve got all the basics covered in order to go out there and do a race. I don’t feel uncomfortable going into a grand prix now – I feel that I know all the procedures, I know what’s important, and I know what to focus on in a race weekend. And that’s really positive.

“It’s a very special feeling knowing that the next time I get in the car, it’ll be in Australia. I’ve got a big job ahead of me, but I’m pretty excited. I feel ready.”

1 Felipe Massa                          Williams                           1m33.258s 99 laps
2 Nico Rosberg Mercedes         AMG                               1m33.484s         103 laps
3 Kimi Raikkonen                     Ferrari                              1m35.426s         87 laps
4 Kevin Magnussen                  McLaren Mercedes          1m35.894s         88 laps
5 Daniil Kvyat                          Scuderia Toro Rosso        1m36.113s         81 laps
6 Nico Hulkenberg                   Force India                       1m36.205s         115 laps
7 Jules Bianchi                         Marussia                           1m37.087s         78 laps
8 Marcus Ericsson                   Caterham                           1m38.083s         117 laps
9 Romain Grosjean                  Lotus                                 1m42.166s         33 laps
10 Adrian Sutil Sauber            Sauber                                                          1 lap
11 Sebastian Vettel                  Red Bull Racing                                          1 lap