Abu Dhabi Test Day One: McLaren-Honda debuts, but completes just three laps

The McLaren-Honda made its eagerly awaited public debut on the first day of the Abu Dhabi test, but completed minimal running at the Yas Marina Circuit due to unreliability.

Stoffel Vandoorne was forced to abandon the MP4-29H on the side of the track on his second run due to what McLaren-Honda described as 'a fuel/data exchange issue' as the new partnership ran into inevitable teething problems and completed just three laps in total.

Nevertheless, despite the limited running, McLaren reported they made 'lots of progress' as they start to get to grips with the returning Japanese manufacturer's brand-new power unit.

"This test is an opportunity for us to build up that operational strength; to get McLaren and Honda working together under the same roof," Racing Director Eric Boullier said.

"We encountered a number of issues, including a lengthy check of electrical installations this morning, but it’s satisfying to see that we got the engine fired up, the car out of the garage, and some laps on the board in the afternoon.

“We’re not chasing laptimes this week, it’s just about gradually expanding our knowledge. Tomorrow will hopefully be all about conducting longer runs as we learn about different parts of the engine, and run through each separate system.”

Vandoorne added: “We’d hoped to get a few more laps under our belts today, but we had a fuel data-logging issue that stopped the car a couple of times. However, the team are already analysing the situation and we’ll hopefully cure it ahead of tomorrow.

“Nevertheless, it’s been a very positive day for us. At this stage of development, any lap we complete has a benefit – and it’s better to be solving these initial teething problems in November rather than in Jerez next February. I’ve already given the team some useful feedback.

“The purpose of this test is to enable the engineers to deepen their knowledge of the McLaren and Honda collaboration. This is their first time working together at the track, and – operationally – it’s all a bit different.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

“We’re still building up the power – we haven’t run the engine at full power yet – so it’s difficult to get a feeling for it, but it sounds absolutely fantastic! People often say that if an engine sounds good, then it usually has lots of power – so let’s hope that’s the case!”

GP2 Champion Jolyon Palmer got his first experience of an F1 car, but his running was also limited by reliability issues. What Force India termed a “small engine issue” limited his running in the morning and the Briton was again forced to stop on track in the afternoon due to “technical issues".

Palmer did manage some quick laps late in the day, though, to leap up the timesheets, finishing the day fourth quickest with a best time of 1:44.516 after completing a total of 37 laps.

Max Verstappen gained more valuable mileage ahead of his F1 debut in Australia next March, but his day wasn’t without incident as the 17-year-old planted his STR9 in the barriers and the Dutchman finished the day slowest of those to set a time.

At Ferrari Kimi Raikkonen was the man at the wheel of the F14 T, but all eyes were on the back of the garage after Sebastian Vettel made an appearance at his new team.

The German made the most of the opportunity to familiarise himself with his new colleagues, whilst also listening in on the radio as he prepares for his new life in 2015. Interestingly, Ferrari ran with temperature sensors on their front tyres for part of the day, perhaps partly due to Raikkonen's season-long struggles with the car.

For a change it wasn’t a Mercedes at the top of the timesheets, but the car did still have Brixworth power as Valtteri Bottas set the pace for Williams with a time of 1:43.396.

He finished the session half a second ahead of compatriot Raikkonen with World Championship runner-up Nico Rosberg third quickest.

Carlos Sainz Jr put in an impressive display for Red Bull as he stakes a claim for a Toro Rosso seat in 2015. The newly-crowned Formula Renault 3.5 Champion is thought to be under serious consideration to fill the void left by Daniil Kvyat’s promotion to Red Bull.

Marcus Ericsson made his debut for Sauber having severed his ties with Caterham ahead of the Abu Dhabi GP, whilst the man who took his seat for the season finale, Will Stevens, got more experience following his grand prix debut on Sunday. The Briton completed over 100 laps for the team who are currently in administration.

Meanwhile, a day after the GP2 Champion made his F1 bow, new GP3 title holder Alex Lynn will do the same on Day Two with Lotus. The Briton, a Red Bull junior, will take over the E22 on Wednesday afternoon after Esteban Ocon has completed another run out for the Enstone team.

Abu Dhabi Test Day One Timesheet
1) Valtteri Bottas, Williams, 1:43.396, 80 laps
2) Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari, 1:43.888, 80 laps
3) Nico Rosberg, Mercedes, 1:44.512, 114 laps
4) Jolyon Palmer, Force India, 1:44.516, 36 laps
5) Carlos Sainz, Red Bull, 1:45.339, 99 laps
6) Will Stevens, Caterham, 1:45.436, 101 laps
7) Charles Pic, Lotus, 1:46.167, 88 laps
8) Marcus Ericsson, Sauber, 1:46.253, 95 laps
9) Max Verstappen, Toro Rosso, 1:47.194, 55 laps
10) Stoffel Vandoorne, McLaren, No Time, 3 laps