Young driver test day two: Ricciardo sets the pace at Silverstone

Australian Daniel Ricciardo set the pace on day two of the young driver test at Silverstone, however his fastest time came when driving his regular...

Australian Daniel Ricciardo set the pace on day two of the young driver test at Silverstone, however his fastest time came when driving his regular Toro Rosso car rather than in a Red Bull which he tested in the afternoon.

The 24-year-old, who is allowed to take part in the test because race drivers are permitted to take part so they can collect data for Pirelli, clocked a 1:32.972 which was just over six tenths quicker than Kevin Magnussen managed when he topped the timesheets on Wednesday for McLaren.

Ricciardo, who along with Lotus’ Kimi Raikkonen is in contention to replace Mark Webber at Red Bull next season, managed 48 laps in the Toro Rosso in the morning before completing another 59 in the Red Bull in the afternoon.

The Australian was 0.215 seconds slower in the Red Bull compared to his leading time in the Toro Rosso. His afternoon got off to a bad start when he ended up in the gravel at Luffield in the Red Bull.

Ricciardo said: “It was good today but very busy, so it’s still a bit of a blur. I did quite a few laps this afternoon, so I’m happy with that. I had a small off but otherwise it was a trouble-free day. The off was my mistake, I just lost the rear on the entry.

“In terms of the inevitable speculation, I think this test is something for Red Bull to look at, but there’s still the rest of the season with Toro Rosso to do, so I’ll switch my focus back to that and won’t get too caught up in any rumours.”

Carlos Sainz Junior finished second quickest when he stepped into the Toro Rosso in the afternoon, finishing 0.044 seconds off the pace with Davide Valsecchi fourth fastest, six tenths adrift in the Lotus.

Oliver Turvey took over from Magnussen at McLaren, setting the fifth fastest time and collecting 97 laps worth of data while James Calado was sixth in the Force India on his second consecutive morning in the car.

Antonio Felix da Costa was seventh in the Red Bull ahead of Williams’ Pastor Maldonado and Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg.

William’s Daniel Juncadella, Sauber’s Robin Frijns, Caterham’s Will Stevens, Force India’s Paul di Resta and Marussia’s Rodolfo Gonzalez completed the runners.

Friday will be the final day of testing at Silverstone with Susie Wolff getting her first full F1 test when she gets behind the wheel of a Williams.

Young drivers’ test – Silverstone – Day two

1. Daniel Ricciardo, Toro Rosso, 1m32.972s, 48 laps

2. Carlos Sainz Jr, Toro Rosso, 1m33.016s, 39 laps

3. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull, 1m33.187s, 59 laps

4. Davide Valsecchi, Lotus, 1m33.554s, 91 laps

5. Oliver Turvey, McLaren, 1m33.864s, 97 laps

6. James Calado, Force India, 1m33.957s, 47 laps

7. Antonio Felix da Costa, Red Bull, 1m33.958s, 19 laps

8. Davide Rigon, Ferrari, 1m34.053s, 97 laps

9. Pastor Maldonado, Williams, 1m34.116s, 71 laps

10. Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber, 1m34.224s, 52 laps