Kimi Raikkonen was fastest on the second day of pre-season testing today at the Circuit de Catalunya in Spain. The Finn set a lap time of a 1:20.960 on the soft compound tyre – the fastest lap posted in testing so far. Driving the new Ferrari SF70H, Raikkonen managed to complete an impressive 108 laps.
After being fastest on the first day of pre-season testing, Lewis Hamilton was second fastest for Mercedes, setting a 1:20.983 on the supersoft tyre, being only 0.023 seconds slower than Raikkonen. However, as Hamilton was on the faster supersoft tyre than Raikkonen’s softs, the Ferrari undoubtedly looks strong on paper. When examining the times from yesterday however, Hamilton’s best lap time today could have been improved, with the three time champion losing 0.3 seconds in the final sector when compared to yesterday.
After a troubled start to pre-season testing following issues with sensors and the battery in their Renault power unit, Red Bull Racing were the third fastest team of day two with Max Verstappen behind the wheel of the car. Verstappen managed to pump in a lap time of 1:22.200, setting a total of 89 laps.
Kevin Magnussen was fourth fastest for the Haas F1 Team, completing 118 laps and setting a 1:22.204 on the supersoft tyres. Tomorrow, Magnussen hands over testing duties to his team mate, Romian Grosjean, where the Frenchman will continue Magnussen’s work for days three and four.
Esteban Ocon made his debut for Force India today, setting the fifth fastest time in the VJM10 with a 1:22.509 lap time on the supersoft tyres. Ocon completed 86 laps for his new team, however, the team did run into some trouble, causing the first red flag of the session.
Daniil Kvyat was sixth fastest for Toro Rosso, posting a 1:22.956 on the soft compound. The young Russian completed 68 laps.
Valtteri Bottas was seventh fastest for Mercedes after sharing testing duties with his team mate once again. Bottas posted a 1:22.986 on the soft compound tyres and completed an impressive 102 laps.
Jolyon Palmer was eighth fastest for Renault, setting a 1:24.139 lap time and completing 56 laps. The Renault team lost a lot of running time today, applying new parts to their car for the afternoon session.
Antonio Giovinazzi was ninth fastest in the Sauber, posting a 1:24.671 on the soft compound tyre and completing 67 laps. Giovinazzi is filling in testing duties for Pascal Wehrlein who is unable to compete in testing following back injuries sustained in a crash at the Race of Champions.
A Tough Day for McLaren and Williams
The second say of pre-season testing was once again a difficult day for McLaren, who posted the second slowest time today with Stoffel Vandoorne in the car. Vandoorne only managed to complete 40 laps in the MCL-32 with a newly designed Honda engine, bringing the team’s total lap coverage in two days to 69 laps.
The Belgian driver completed 29 laps in the morning session, however, another power unit issue forced McLaren to bring their car back to the pits. Following an engine change, Vandoorne managed to return to the track, however only managed to compete another 11 laps.
Vandoorne’s best lap time in the McLaren was a 1:25.600 – 4.6 seconds slower than Raikkonen.
Williams finished the second day of pre-season testing earlier than expected with Lance Stroll in the car. The Canadian youngster completed 12 laps before spinning the Williams FW40 at turn nine, which resulted in minor front wing damage. Williams however, were unable to repair the damage which forced them to retire from the second day, with the team having to fly parts out to Spain from their team headquarters in Oxfordshire, England.
Following this incident, many may be doubting Stroll’s levels of experience, and if he is yet good enough to compete in the highest level of Motorsport aged only 18.
Results from Day 2 of Pre-Season Testing:
- Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari, 1:20.960 – softs (108 laps)
- Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 1:20.983 – supersofts (66 laps)
- Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, 1:22.200 – softs (89 laps)
- Kevin Magnussen, Haas F1, 1:22.204 – supersofts (118 laps)
- Esteban Ocon, Force India, 1:22.509 – supersofts (86 laps)
- Daniil Kvyat, Toro Rosso, 1:22.956 – softs (68 laps)
- Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes, 1:22.986 – softs (102 laps)
- Jolyon Palmer, Renault, 1:24.139 – softs (53 laps)
- Antonio Giovinazzi, Sauber, 1:24.671 – softs (67 laps)
- Stoffel Vandoorne, McLaren, 1:25.600 – softs (40 laps)
- Lance Stroll, Williams, 1:26.040 – mediums (12 laps)
