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FP1: Mercedes look strong as Bottas leads the field

  • Published on 11 May 2018 12:31
  • 2
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Valtteri Bottas has ended the first free practice session from Barcelona on top of the timesheets, setting a time of 1:18.142. Track conditions were very tricky for the drivers, as plenty of them went off track as they racked up laps around the Circuit de Catalunya.

Mercedes appeared to be the strongest team after the morning session, as Bottas' teammate Lewis Hamilton ended up in second place. The Briton's fastest time was over eight-tenths of a second down on Bottas's lap.

The Ferrari duo was behind the two Silver Arrows, with Sebastian Vettel heading his teammate Kimi Raikkonen. Vettel enters the weekend with the aim of gaining back the lead in the driver's championship, which he lost last time out in Baku.

It was a tough session for Red Bull, as Daniel Ricciardo ended his running prematurely. The Australian became unstable through Turn 4 and went straight off the circuit, making contact with the barriers. His previously posted fastest lap was good enough for sixth place, behind teammate Max Verstappen, who split the Ferraris, and the McLaren of Fernando Alonso.

Alonso's teammate Stoffel Vandoorne was P9, with McLaren running with a dramatically different front wing in Barcelona. Romain Grosjean, who is yet to score a point this season, was ahead of Vandoorne in eighth, while the Toro Rosso of Pierre Gasly rounded out the top ten.

Robert Kubica made his first F1 weekend appearance since 2010, taking the Williams FW41 out onto the circuit. However, the Grove-based team struggled as Lance Stroll ended his session in the gravel, with his time only good enough for last place - behind Kubica in P19. 

Charles Leclerc had a more positive session, coming home in twelfth place. The Monegasque driver claimed his first points in F1 in Baku, and ended the free practice session in Barcelona three tenths ahead of teammate Marcus Ericsson. Sergio Perez was sandwiched in between the two Sauber's in P13.

Renault didn't appear to be too rapid in the opening ninety minutes of the weekend, as Carlos Sainz and Nico Hulkenberg were P15 and P17 respectively. Esteban Ocon was sixteenth for Force India, while Brendon Hartley was the only driver ahead of the struggling Williams in P18.

 

Fergal Walsh

F1Grand Prix Spain - Free practice 1

Circuit de Catalunya - 11 May 2018

F1 News Max Verstappen Fernando Alonso Valtteri Bottas Romain Grosjean Daniel Ricciardo Lewis Hamilton Sebastian Vettel Kimi Räikkönen Marcus Ericsson Sergio Perez Stoffel Vandoorne Pierre Gasly Charles Leclerc Lance Stroll Robert Kubica Williams McLaren Ferrari Mercedes Sauber

Replies (2)

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  • Kean

    Posts: 692

    Ok, as usual, I know you're not supposed to read too much into FP1, but still....
    Positives: Didn't expect McLaren to break into the top 3 with their upgrade, but so far it seems like fourth is possible. They may battle with Haas, but so far the Haas team has been unable to use their potential during the races. Gasly and Leclerc are showing some good pace out there.
    Negatives: Williams! Seems like they're going from bad to worse. Hartley... compared to Gasly, Hartley does not impress. Magnussen pulls of yet another stupid and dangerous move, this time on Leclerc.

    • + 0
    • May 11 2018 - 13:06
    • calle.itw

      Posts: 8,527

      I actually expected McLaren to do well, so thats probably realistic. They did pretty well at Barcelona during the winter already, so it isnt surprising. The surprise to me is Merc' and I expect that will be adjusted for during FP2 and FP3. Also weird to see Renault this low. I also expect STR to get better. But the difference between Gasly and Hartley seem to be very big. Nice to see Sauber up there aswell. I expect Williams to catch them later this season, so its now that they need to get up there and score points.

      • + 0
      • May 11 2018 - 15:47

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