Barcelona Private Test – Results and standings
For two days, the Formula 1 teams, with the exception of Sauber, were able to test numerous new features on their single-seaters on the Barcelona circuit. Sebastian Vettel and Ferrari set the fastest overall time.
Consecutive to the Spanish Grand Prix won by the astonishing Max Verstappen, the two days of private testing scheduled on the Barcelona circuit were an opportunity for the teams to test new developments with a view to integrating them during the season but also, in preparation for next year.
Only the Sauber team, facing significant financial difficulties, did not participate in these test days. All other teams sometimes fielded a lineup mixing youth and experience, with the presence of a few established drivers and rookies lacking track time.
The most anticipated evolution was undoubtedly that of the Renault power unit. It has won unanimous approval from the drivers, like Kevin Magnussen who would like to see this new engine in his car as early as Monaco: “This power unit is, in fact, much better than the old one, and we haven’t had a lot of time to work on it. I’d love to have it [in Monaco], but it’s not up to me.”
The Red Bull team has also expressed satisfaction with this development, as stated by Christian Horner, sporting director of the Austrian team, who once again led Renault to victory at the last Spanish Grand Prix: *”If there is any opportunity to be even more competitive in Monaco, then we will seize it. But it’s a decision that must be made by Renault.”*
The French engine manufacturer had initially planned to make this development available in June, during the Canadian Grand Prix…
Other teams, like Williams, focused on aerodynamic tests by trying various solutions, sometimes quite original. Alex Lynn and Felipe Massa notably validated some developments that might appear next year on the British single-seater. The rear wing of the FW38 certainly drew attention during these two days.
Anyone got the feeling they’ve seen our testing rear wing somewhere before? Way ahead of its time… #F1Testing pic.twitter.com/0iHIy21R8a
— WILLIAMS RACING (@WilliamsRacing) 18 mai
On the timing side, Sebastian Vettel set the fastest overall time on Tuesday with 1:23.220. The Ferrari driver beat his own qualifying time from the Grand Prix, on soft tires. The next day, it was Max Verstappen who came closest to the German driver’s time with 1:23.267.
The majority of drivers completed a fast lap on soft tires, like Nico Rosberg, Daniel Ricciardo, and Pierre Gasly, who was making his debut with Toro Rosso. Other drivers, such as Romain Grosjean, Pascal Werhlein with Manor, Jenson Button, and Stoffel Vandoorne, chose to test the super soft tires, achieving times at respectable distances from the top positions.
The three Frenchmen involved in the testing were diligent on the track on Tuesday. Esteban Ocon completed 105 laps driving the Renault and Pierre Gasly 78 laps with the Toro Rosso. As for Romain Grosjean, he completed 96 laps with the Ferrari-powered Haas.
Le classement complet du mardi 17 mai:
#F1TESTING PROVISIONAL CLASSIFICATION: End of Day One #F1 pic.twitter.com/77acN7tR2E
— Formula 1 (@F1) 17 mai /f1/actualite/21005-essais-prives-barcelone-le-programme-complet.html
The complete ranking for Wednesday, May 18:
#F1TESTING CLASSIFICATION – AFTERNOON SESSION, DAY TWO ⚙ 🔧 🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/f9UwOkq1b4
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 18 /f1/actualite/21005-essais-prives-barcelone-le-programme-complet.html
