Third day pre-season test in Barcelona hampered by rain and snow

Published on 28 February 2018 by Mike Motilall

The third day of pre-season testing in Barcelona, of a total of eight, is not one for the history books. Due to heavy snow fall in the morning and a constant downpour in the afternoon, the total amount of laps on Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya was no more than seventeen.

The day starts off with a blanket of snow covering the circuit and also the surrounding area. The conditions are simply far from ideal to send out the drivers on the asphalt. The track is therefore only cleared at 12:00 hrs. local time. However, not much action follows.    

Fernando Alonso is the first driver to head out for an installation lap a little after one o’clock. A handful of drivers follow suit, including Daniel Ricciardo. But all the drivers head back into the pits after their one lap. Towards the end of the afternoon, Alonso takes to the track once more in his McLaren, but only after it has slightly stopped raining.

The weather prediction looks somewhat better for tomorrow. In the morning session it should remain dry. In the afternoon there is a possibility for some rain, albeit that the amount will not be the same compared to what has fallen today. Max Verstappen will take over the reins of the RB14 and thus conclude the first week of pre-season testing for Aston Martin Red Bull Racing.