Carlos Sainz has topped the timesheets after the second day of test two in Barcelona with a 1:17.144.
Sainz's time marks the fastest that we've seen so far at winter testing this year, beating the previous time set by Nico Hulkenberg last Thursday. Sergio Perez was second for Racing Point, while Sebastian Vettel ended the session in third place.
However, it was a tough day for Ferrari, who missed out on a lot of running. A mechanical problem with the car saw Vettel crash this morning as he rounded Turn 3. The German had 40 laps to his name at the time of the incident, which was all Ferrari managed today, as Leclerc didn't get out in the afternoon.
Kimi Raikkonen was fourth for Alfa Romeo, ahead of former teammate Romain Grosjean. Max Verstappen followed in the Honda-powered Red Bull, managing 128 laps throughout the day.
Daniil Kvyat was seventh, ahead of the Mercedes duo of Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton. Nico Hulkenberg was tenth for Renault, as he and Sainz racked up 130 laps - the most of any driver.
Robert Kubica and Nico Hulkenberg were the last of the timed lappers.
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Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
Replies (6)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
All in all, things are looking pretty stable.
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
That Mclaren livery is looking prettier by the day. It may or may not be correlated with the lap count and time. Are we allowed to dream again of a competitive Mclaren?
Kean
Posts: 692
Last year McLaren were setting some pretty good lap times during testing compared to the rest, and we all know what happened next.... I too really want to see a competitive McLaren, best of the rest just ahead of Renault and Alfa would be my hope. But I don't dare to hope. Realistically though they should be in a much better position than last year since they've got on top of their fundamental problem, described very well by Marc Priestley on Youtube.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Yes, AJPP, I will grant you permission to dream. I don't think 2019 is the year, but regardless, whom am I to stand between you and your happiness? Art I not humble? Thou shalt dream of a competitive McLaren, and I shalt rely on the Power Of Dreams! Personally, I hope for McLaren vs Renault.
Ram Samartha
Posts: 1,172
We now know that the other team are sandbagging when McLaren is topping the timesheets. We can hope they are improved but we will only know at qualy in Melbourne.
Pistonhead
Posts: 556
I'm finding it difficult to read anything into the lap times tbh, I do however read more into resilience of the cars in these tests, and its looking better all round this year. I love the McLaren paint-job, its an iconic colour and looks good standing still and better still going fast ! C',mon McLaren !!