On Track

Lance shows Top 10 pace in Emilia Romagna Grand Prix practice

Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One™ Team began the 2021 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix weekend by demonstrating Top 10 pace as Lance put in some encouraging lap times.

Lance and Sebastian played their part in helping the team move forward by testing new aero parts on the AMR21 and early feedback proved positive.

The importance of running a programme efficiently is heightened by the unfamiliarity of Imola, which returned in 2020 after a lengthy absence, meaning there is limited relevant data for all the teams to rely upon.

Sebastian and Lance combined to complete a total of 94 laps across the two hours of running, taking advantage of cool and settled conditions to improve our understanding of the AMR21.

In FP1, the two drivers worked through a run programme designed to establish the baseline of the AMR21 before taking in a mix of shorter and longer runs on the Hard and Soft tyre compound.

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The FP1 session was made more complicated by technical issues at the circuit affecting the entire field, which impacted tools such as team radio and GPS.

Despite a red flag midway through running, the team was still able to complete its programme as Lance's 1.17.489 lap sealed eighth on the timesheets.

Sebastian had worked his way up the timesheets progressively and completed 23 laps and set his best time in 1.17.984.

Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One™ Team used the second practice session to conduct aero work and to validate new parts, while also continuing to work on short and long runs.

Lance would again show a good turn of pace to lap in 1.16.737 to eventually take 10th, while Sebastian was denied a soft tyre run at the end of the session due to a red flag caused by a Ferrari going off at the final corner.

It meant his best time was a 1.17.092 lap but, with over 50 laps completed in FP2, there’s plenty of data for the team to review ahead of qualifying tomorrow.

Lance: “It is great to be back in Imola because it is such an awesome circuit. It is really satisfying to drive, especially the way you can attack the circuit and use the kerbs. It reminds me of my karting days.

“I would call it an old school circuit; it punishes errors, and I think that’s why the drivers enjoy it so much. It is quite different from the open layout of Bahrain and the car naturally feels different as a result, but I felt good today and we completed some important work.

“We now have plenty of information to analyse this evening, but it has been a promising start to the weekend.”

Sebastian: “Part of today’s programme involved testing some new aero parts and the early signs are encouraging – especially in terms of my feeling in the car. That should help us take a step forward this weekend.

“I believe we can be more competitive than in Bahrain. We learned a huge amount from the first race and the work over the last few weeks – in the factory and here at the track – has certainly helped us make some improvements ahead of this weekend.

“I think the data we have from today’s sessions will help us take some more steps forward ahead of qualifying.”