Force India opted to cut short its running on the first day of pre-season testing for the 2017 Formula 1 season as a precaution after an exhaust problem.
Sergio Perez was at the wheel of the new Force India VJM10 as winter testing got underway at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
It was a trouble-free morning for the Silverstone-based outfit, but running in the afternoon was brought to an early close.
Despite the issue, Perez completed 39 laps in total and ended the day seventh in the overall timesheets.
“It was a day of two halves,” he said. “The morning was very productive: we managed to do a lot of what we had planned and we tried some different set-up options and tyre compounds.
“Things were looking quite positive throughout the morning and we had the chance to learn a lot from our new car.
“Unfortunately, we didn’t run in the afternoon as a precaution and that cost us some track time.
“Hopefully tomorrow we can make up the lost ground with Esteban in the car: with a solid day, we can complete the rest of our programme and move forward with the plan.”
On the issue, chief race engineer Tom McCullough: “Our work was cut short with an exhaust issue and we ended the day early as a precautionary measure.”
