Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya (Montmeló).- Second test day at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. The Formula 1 Pre-Season Testing days are fulfilling their mission: drivers and teams are showing the improvements and all the changes made. On the day in which Kimi Räikkonen (Ferrari) and Sergio Pérez (Racing Point) clocked the fastest times, Lewis Hamilton has been in the global limelight with one of these novelties fitted into his car.
Yesterday, everyone was talking about the similarity between the new RP20 Racing Point single-seater and last season’s Mercedes, and today we were able to see that the similarities are not only in the look. The team with the pink cars, which uses a Mercedes power unit, has shown to have an astonishing pace. Sergio Pérez was second fastest today, clocking 1:17.347 this morning on medium compound tyres.
Only Kimi Räikkönen was able to improve the time, which he did shortly before the finish of the afternoon session. The Ferrari driver missed the 1:17 mark broken yesterday by Lewis Hamilton, by only 91 thousandths of a second. The Finnish driver was one of the seven drivers who did not leave the seat during the whole day, making a total of 134 laps. Even so, the test day almost finished with the first red flag of the pre-season, caused by Räikkönen who stalled on the world championship track.
But Pérez’ great pace was not the only central topic of the day. The novelty fitted into the Mercedes W11 caused a stir as well. Lewis Hamilton turned into an unintentional protagonist when the F1® live coverage showed a movement of the steering wheel, never seen before. Sometime later, during the press conference, the technical manager of the team, James Allison, gave a brief explanation. “It is the new DAS system; it creates a new dimension in steering that will be very useful. How we use it, why we use it, that’s something we’ll keep to ourselves”, explained Allison.
The teams focussed largely on analysing the performance of the cars and their behaviour on long sections with the C1 and C2 compounds, which are more stable. This is what the reigning World Champion did, making a total of 106 laps, only in the morning, during his particular race simulation, although with the ninth fastest time of the day.
Daniel Ricciardo (Renault) can be happy with his performance as well, after clocking the third fastest time of the day (1:17.749), followed by Alexander Albon (Red Bull), and Pierre Gasly (Alpha Tauri). The central section of the timesheet is consequently in constant movement.
Things did not go that well for Valtteri Bottas. The Mercedes driver was forced to finish his test programme earlier than expected and in the garage following electrical problems, as confirmed by the silver-arrow team. Light and shadow for Mercedes, who unveiled a few weaknesses today.
Tatiana Calderón joins the Campaign #ThoEstasPerdent (You are missing it) with Laia Sanz and Belén García
Within the framework of the Formula 1 Pre-Season Testing, Alfa Romeo test driver, Tatiana Calderón, joined today the campaign #ThoEstasPerdent (‘You are missing it’) at the Circuit, together with Trial and Enduro World Champion Laia Sanz and local formula driver Belén García. This initiative is claiming for more media attention to female sports.
The event was attended by Gerard Figueras, Secretary General for Sports of the Catalan Government and Joan Fontserè, Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya General Manager. To round-off the meeting Tatiana Calderón, took Laia Sanz and Belén García on a tour around the Alfa Romeo pit garage.
Access to the Circuit
The access to Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya will be through Gate 3 from 8.30am, and cars shall be parked in Car Park C (former IN6). The Main Grandstand, as well as Grandstand F and G will be opened to follow of the action on the track.
Formula 1 Pre-season Testing, from €23
Tickets to enjoy the Formula 1 Pre-Season Testing and complete information are available at www.circuitcat.com. Tickets are available from €23. The ticket for the FORMULA 1 GRAN PREMIO DE ESPAÑA 2020 provides access on all of the test days.
