Spain – Free Practice 1: Hamilton one second ahead of the Ferraris, Alonso on his heels again!

The rain that threatened the weekend is ultimately not present for this first free practice session of the Spanish Grand Prix. Thus, under a blue and sunny sky, the drivers will take to the track for this first race in Europe of the season.

The air temperature is 20°C, and the track temperature peaks at 26°C. Perfect conditions for teams to test the latest developments on the cars. Renault has brought a new rear wing, Mercedes new aerodynamic appendages, and Red Bull showcases a deeply revamped RB13.

At Renault, Sergey Sirotkin is given a new chance after his setback during the first free practice in Russia. He is replacing Jolyon Palmer, who will get his seat back in the afternoon.

All the drivers take to the track as it opens to make an initial installation lap. But already, a first dramatic turn of events occurs as the local hero, Fernando Alonso, is forced to pull his car to the side after yet another issue with the Honda engine. The Spaniard’s car, losing fluid at the back, is clumsily evacuated by the track marshals.

More dilemma for Fernando Alonso as the McLaren breaks down – again. It then promptly goes and sh*ts itself for good measure. Dear oh dear. pic.twitter.com/Jy8AR9ZLcP

— F1 Paddock Pass (@F1PaddockPass) 12 mai 2017

But the McLaren-Honda is not the only one experiencing problems. Without having set a significant time, Sebastian Vettel has to park his Ferrari at the pit lane exit. The German driver announces over the radio a problem with his gearbox. Immediately, the Scuderia mechanics bring the SF-70H back to their garage and focus on its rear.

Meanwhile, the two Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton (1:23.531) and Valtteri Bottas (1:23.614) take the lead on the timing sheet, ahead of the Ferrari of Kimi Räikkönen (1:24.366), the Red Bull of Daniel Ricciardo (1:25.019), and the two Force Indias of Esteban Ocon (1:25.458) and Sergio Pérez (1:25.522).

At mid-session, the track is rather calm. Only the Williams cars driven by Felipe Massa and Lance Stroll are completing laps. The Brazilian thus moves up to fourth position, ahead of Ricciardo’s Red Bull.

Good news also for Sebastian Vettel who will be able to get back on track. The problem with the Ferrari is therefore less serious than expected, and the German puts on his helmet before getting into his car to try and set a significant time this morning.

In the last half-hour, as all the drivers had set a time on Hard tires, some started to chase the clock on Medium tires. And it’s working quite well for Max Verstappen, who was hampered by mechanical problems at the start of the session, as he takes the best time with 1:22.706, immediately surpassed by Sebastian Vettel, then Valtteri Bottas, then Hamilton with 1:21.521. The hardest tires are clearly the best performers this morning.

In this game, the Haas cars of Magnussen and Grosjean deliver strong performances by climbing to 5th and 6th positions respectively, ahead of Nico Hülkenberg’s Renault.

Back to base. @KevinMagnussen returns holding P5. @RGrosjean in also, sitting P6. #FP1 #SpanishGP pic.twitter.com/m60HOJl2Bg

— Haas F1 Team (@HaasF1Team) 12 mai 2017

All the drivers go for a final run fifteen minutes before the end of the session. The two Mercedes, which are currently leading the two Ferraris by more than a second, do not improve, hindered by a yellow flag waved due to the Haas of Magnussen stopping on track in the first sector, which turns into a virtual safety car, thus ending the session.

PROVISIONAL CLASSIFICATION (END OF FP1): A good morning for @MercedesAMGF1 #SpanishGP 🇪🇸 #F1 pic.twitter.com/HmESewC538

— Formula 1 (@F1) 12 mai 2017

From our special correspondent in Barcelona