Kimi Raikkonen topped the time sheets for the second time this week in pre-season testing at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain. The 2007 World Champion set a time of a 1:20.872 on the soft compound tyre, completing a total of 93 laps over the course of the day for Ferrari.
Max Verstappen was second fastest for Red Bull Racing, being 0.897 seconds slower than Raikkonen on the soft tyre, completing a total of 85 laps over the day.
Jolyon Palmer again appeared in the Renault today for pre-season testing, setting a lap of a 1:21.778 on the soft compound tyre and completing 39 laps in total after sharing the role with his team mate, Nico Hulkenberg. This lap time left Palmer in third place, only 0.009 seconds slower than Verstappen. Hulkenberg finished the day in ninth place, setting a time of a 1:24.974 on the soft tyre. Hulkenberg competed 51 laps.
Romain Grosjean was fourth fastest for the Haas F1 Team, setting a best lap time of a 1:22.309 on the supersoft tyre. Grosjean completed an impressive 118 laps over the day – more than any other driver and team on the fourth day of testing.
Antonio Giovinazzi was fifth fastest for Sauber setting a 1:22.401. Giovinazzi completed 84 laps in the C36 in interchangeable conditions. This may mark the end of Giovinazzi’s time testing for Sauber however, with Pascal Wehrlein aiming to be fit enough to take part in the second pre-season test.
Sergio Perez was sixth fastest for Force India, setting a 1:22.534 on the supersoft tyre and completing 82 laps.
Stoffel Vandoorne ended the day in seventh place for McLaren, completing 67 laps and setting a best time of a 1:22.576 on the ultrasoft tyre.
Valtteri Bottas finished the session in eighth place for Mercedes after previously being fastest on day three of testing. The Finn completed a 1:23.443 lap time on the soft compound tyre, managing to complete 68 laps. In the morning session for Mercedes there was very little running, with a computer issue preventing the reigning champions from putting in any serious mileage. This also meant that Lewis Hamilton did not get a chance to drive today after being scheduled for competing in the morning session.
Daniil Kvyat ended the session in tenth place after failing to set a time for Toro Rosso, only doing one lap over the course of the day. His team mate, Carlos Sainz Jr, also didn’t take part in the session.
Following a somewhat difficult week for Williams, the team did not compete in testing on day four. This was a result of Lance Stroll‘s accident towards the end of day three of testing where the Canadian rookie crashed the car into the barriers of turn six at the Circuit de Catalunya. After looking at the extent of the damage from the crash, Williams deemed the car unfit to be used after finding damage to the chassis.
Results from Day 4 of Pre-Season Testing:
- Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari, 1:20.872 – softs (93 laps)
- Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, 1:21.769 – softs (85 laps)
- Jolyon Palmer, Renault, 1:21.778 – softs (39 laps)
- Romain Grosjean, Haas F1, 1:22.309 – supersofts (118 laps)
- Antonio Giovinazzi, Sauber, 1:22.401 – ultrasofts (84 laps)
- Sergio Perez, Force India, 1:22.534 – supersofts (82 laps)
- Stoffel Vandoorne, McLaren, 1:22.576 – ultrasofts (67 laps)
- Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes, 1:23.443 – softs (68 laps)
- Nico Hulkenberg, Renault, 1:24.974 – softs (51 laps)
- Daniil Kvyat, Toro Rosso, no time (1 lap)
*Lewis Hamilton, Felipe Massa, and Carlos Sainz Jr did not compete in the session.
The final pre-season test will be held from the 7-10 of March before the cars lineup on the grid for the first race of the season at the Australian Grand Prix on March 26.
