Slater thriving around ‘old-school’ Madring track after topping Day 1 of testing

Freddie Slater was the one to beat on the opening day of in-season testing around the new Madring circuit. The TRIDENT driver set a 1:50.343 in the afternoon running to finish the day quickest of all.

The Audi Development Driver was very happy with his and the team’s efforts on a tricky opening day and says that he ranks the track amongst his favourites following a first taste of on-track action.

“I think it was a really positive day,” he summarised back in the paddock. “I think this track is incredible to drive, it's a bit old-school, got some interesting corners and it's got a lot of character to it. It's probably one of the most enjoyable on a push lap on the calendar.

“I'm just enjoying it. I'm having fun. Today has been a really positive day. I'm just learning about the track and trying to adapt my driving style to it and also adapt the car a bit to it.

“It's been a good learning day for the team, especially, which is very important, obviously, with a completely new track and no previous data to rely on. It's been a solid day so far.”

Drivers and teams turned up in Madrid with only simulator data to go off, having had no prior data around the circuit to utilise.

It made track time and run planning very important, something that Slater says he was able to achieve with TRIDENT across the day.

Speaking about how things unfolded from the cockpit, the British driver says it was about finding a rhythm around what is a high-speed street circuit.

"I've actually had a couple of experiences around street tracks, obviously, Macau, Monaco this year, and it's about going out, being on the limit, but not being too over the limit that you end up risking crashing.

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• Freddie Slater ends Day 1 fastest in Madrid for TRIDENT
• AS IT HAPPENED: Follow all the action from the in-season test at the Madring

“I think that was very important this morning to build up to it, to get multiple laps under the belt so you actually could work out what was going on. I think it's been a positive way of building up to it. I look forward to tomorrow.

“But I love the whole thing. I think it's incredible. I think it's one of the best tracks I’ve driven. Like all the best tracks, like your Macau's, your Monaco's, the tracks that have got character, and I think that's what's the most special thing that they've done here. I can't name a favourite part, but I do like the Turn 5 and 6 chicane.”

Tomorrow’s running will be the final bit of preparation teams and drivers will get ahead of the penultimate round in Monza before returning to Madrid for the season finale in September.

Slater is hoping to replicate his opening day form but expects everyone to take a step forward, with unused tyres to play with on Tuesday.

“I think tomorrow you'll see probably a little bit more new tyres put on a lot sooner. I think probably two or three runs in a row maybe in the morning, which we normally see on the second day in the morning of these tests.

“I think the pace has been really strong today, especially considering what tyres we're on and compared to other people. So, a really, really positive day, honestly, as I look back on it.

“It’s a nice way to begin this final stint of the season. I think tomorrow is going to be lots of qualifying simulations, but also trying to get some race runs in, as today we had quite a few red flags that didn't help in that sense.”