Pirelli is regularly criticized for the performance of its tires. However, the criticism is even more intense regarding the wet-weather tires. The Italian manufacturer has already conducted tests at Mugello with Ferrari, but Sebastian Vettel experienced an off during an out lap, which significantly reduced the available data.<\/p>\n
It had therefore been decided to dedicate one of the eight testing days in Barcelona to wet track testing. However, the Barcelona circuit is not equipped with the automatic and permanent watering system that a circuit like Paul Ricard can have. It was therefore necessary to use trucks to flood the track all night so that it would be completely soaked when the green light was given. <\/p>\n
\nWhere did all that water come from…? #F1<\/a> #F1Testing<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/VXLCJcJBx2<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 Formula 1 (@F1) March 2 \/f1\/actualite\/21747-williams-ne-roulera-pas-aujourdhui-pour-cause-de-securite.html<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Cela permet d’\u00e9viter la situation de Jerez 2014 o\u00f9 des tracteurs avaient \u00e9t\u00e9 utilis\u00e9s avec des r\u00e9servoirs trop petits pour que le syst\u00e8me soit r\u00e9ellement efficace. Si le syst\u00e8me utilis\u00e9 aujourd’hui fut un peu meilleur, il n’emp\u00eache que la piste n’\u00e9tait tout de m\u00eame pas assez inond\u00e9e pour simuler un aquaplanning et donc permettre aux \u00e9quipes d’avoir davantage d’informations pour identifier le moment o\u00f9 il faut passer de pneus pleine pluie aux interm\u00e9diaires, puis des interm\u00e9diaires aux pneus slics.<\/p>\n
Between the long moments when no car was on track due to the drying track, it was Kimi R\u00e4ikk\u00f6nen who once again set the best time of the day. The Ferrari also showed good reliability, completing another 93 laps.<\/p>\n
He was able to open a gap of eight-tenths over Max Verstappen, who also did not experience significant issues and was able to complete 85 laps. Renault decided to split its day in two to allow both of its drivers to take the wheel under changing track conditions. In total, the French manufacturer was able to gather data on 90 laps of the Catalan circuit, with the fastest time set by Jolyon Palmer at 1:21.778, the third-fastest of the day.<\/p>\n
But the award for dedication on the track today goes to Romain Grosjean, with 118 laps, which shows impressive reliability from his Haas. The fourth fastest time of the day will also lift the spirits of the American team’s crew.<\/p>\n
On this rather unrepresentative day, it can still be noted that Pascal Wehrlein’s replacement at Sauber, Antonio Giovinazzi, was able to fully benefit from his day behind the wheel of the C36, with 84 laps and the fifth fastest time of the day, just ahead of Sergio Perez’s Force India.<\/p>\n
For once, McLaren had a day without too many problems, even though some time was lost again in the morning. Stoffel Vandoorne was still able to complete 67 laps, which is one less than Valtteri Bottas did in just the afternoon. But Mercedes lost its first half-day of testing as Lewis Hamilton was stuck in the garage in the morning due to electronic issues. However, the three-time world champion didn’t seem disheartened as he believed he wouldn’t have learned much with the artificial track conditions.<\/p>\n
\nElectrical fault kept us in the garage this morning, so I’ve decided with the team not to drive today as I wouldn’t have learned much (1\/2) pic.twitter.com\/LS0Tr8aWdK<\/a><\/p>\n