Sean Gelael passes F1 test with Toro Rosso in Abu Dhabi

KOMPAS.com – Indonesian rider Sean Gelael spent the first day of Formula (F1) testing at the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi, UAE on Tuesday (27/11/2018).

The 22-year-old driver followed a 150-lap Pirelli tire development program with the Scuderia Toro Rosso team.

The test starts at 9:00 am local time and Sean immediately performs a qualifying simulation with tires. Hypersoft and ultrasoft. During the session, Sean clocked the fastest time, 1: 40.435, on lap 24 with tires. Hypersoft.

When comparing time and tires similar to the two Toro Rosso drivers at the Abu Dhabi GP, which will be held around noon, between 12:00 and 13:00, what Sean does is considered competitive.

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Pierre Gasly and Brendon Hartley each recorded 1: 40.671 and 1: 41.137 during the session. free practice 1 Friday (23/11/2018).

Sean noted another positive thing: he did not make any mistakes on the track, even though he ate the most laps. The test was stopped for a few moments because of fouls by several riders, including even Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen.

The director of Toro Rosso's team, Franz Tost, said he was very pleased with what Sean had done.

"The way Sean drove was much better than some of the previous tests, the data shows that Sean has made some improvements in braking, and we're not just looking at the timeline, because this test is more focused on tire development, "said Tost, in a press release Kompas.com.

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During the test, Tost was seen directly monitoring Sean from the edge of the track.

Meanwhile, Sean also said he was satisfied with the test.

"It's really tired, but it's really fun." Once again, Toro Rosso has given me confidence in this test and has made a valuable contribution to their preparation for the season 2019, "he said.

The number of laps completed by Sean was a new record for a test by Toro Rosso. This test is important because Toro Rosso did not replace the engine suppliers (Honda) while they used two new drivers, Daniil Kvyat (Russia) and Alexander Albon (Thailand).