THERE was a troubled first practice session yesterday for the Enstone-based Renault team ahead of Sunday’s Bahrain Formula 1 Grand Prix.
Jolyon Palmer reported a power problem with his engine, but the Briton managed the 15th quickest time and was only marginally slower than his teammate Nico Hulkenberg.
It was an uneventful session, and only a harmless spin by Williams’ driver Felipe Massa punctuated the testing.
Massa still had the fifth quickest time in his Grove-prepared car, while teenage teammate Lance Stroll was sixth.
Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen were ninth and 16th respectively for Banbury-based Haas.
Meanwhile, Oliver Rowland, from Oxfordshire, has been named Renault’s development driver.
Rowland, who will contest the Formula 2 Championship this year, will fulfil a simulator programme as well as driving on track.
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