<< Return to the news list

Vettel remains top after the first day of testing

Published on 18 Feb 2019 18:38
5
By: Fergal Walsh

Sebastian Vettel ended the first day of pre-season testing on top of the timesheets, as his lap from the morning session remained unbeaten.

The German set a 1:18.161, which was half a second quicker than Carlos Sainz, who ended the day in second place. Both men set over 100 laps, with Vettel setting the most of any single driver - 169.

Romain Grosjean was third fastest heading the Red Bull of Max Verstappen. The energy drink squad will be pleased with its day, as it started its on-track relationship with Honda by setting 128 laps.

Kimi Raikkonen was fourth from Alfa Romeo, recovering from a spin in the morning. The Finn lost the rear of his car and found himself stuck in the gravel. Behind the 2007 world champion in sixth place was Daniil Kvyat, who makes his full-time return to F1 this season.

Sergio Perez was seventh for Racing Point, who headed the two Mercedes. Valtteri Bottas drove the morning session for the Silver Arrows, before teammate Lewis Hamilton took over in the afternoon. Bottas' time was 0.008s quicker than the four-time world champion's.

Rounding out the timesheets was the Renault duo, as Nico Hulkenberg, who took part in the morning session, ended the day ahead of Daniel Ricciardo who ended bottom of the lot. Williams did not take part in testing, and will not do so until Wednesday.

Circuit de Catalunya - 18 February 2019

Driver

Team

Time

Difference

#
1

Sebastian Vettel

Ferrari

1:18.161

169
2

Carlos Sainz jr

McLaren

1:18.558

+0.397

119
3

Romain Grosjean

Haas F1

1:19.159

+0.998

65
4

Max Verstappen

Red Bull Racing

1:19.426

+1.265

128
5

Kimi Räikkönen

Alfa Romeo Racing

1:19.462

+1.301

114
6

Daniil Kvyat

Toro Rosso

1:19.635

+1.474

77
7

Sergio Perez

Racing Point

1:19.944

+1.783

30
8

Valtteri Bottas

Mercedes

1:20.127

+1.966

69
9

Lewis Hamilton

Mercedes

1:20.135

+1.974

81
10

Nico Hülkenberg

Renault

1:20.980

+2.819

65
11

Daniel Ricciardo

Renault

1:20.983

+2.822

44

Ram Samartha

Posts: 1,172

IT'S ON!

1
Feb 18 2019 - 19:39

Photos Barcelona, February 18, 2019

Open the whole photo album

F1 News Max Verstappen Valtteri Bottas Romain Grosjean Daniel Ricciardo Daniil Kvyat Lewis Hamilton Sebastian Vettel Kimi Räikkönen Sergio Perez Hans-Joachim Stuck Paddy Driver Jackie Lewis Racing Point Renault Mercedes Williams Alfa Romeo Honda

Replies (5)

Ram Samartha

Posts: 1,172
IT'S ON!
- + 1
- Feb 18 2019 - 19:39
calle.itw

Posts: 8,527
Monster runs from Ferrari. Great run from RBH, McLaren and Alfa looking good. All in all, looks like everyone hit the ground running. At least no fireworks so far.
- + 0
- Feb 18 2019 - 19:54
- RogerF1
  
  Posts: 501
  Really happy to see McLren get the laps in but I guess always too earlyto make a judgement on the times.
  + 0
  
  Feb 19 2019 - 00:04
- Ram Samartha
  
  Posts: 1,172
  Interesting design feature on the Red Bull with that bump at the top of the nose.
  + 0
  
  Feb 19 2019 - 00:15
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  @RAM Yes, I've actually seen teams use that before, albeit not quite that pronounces. I wonder if that is to move air to the sides or something.
  + 0
  
  Feb 19 2019 - 06:52