Max third fastest on Tuesday morning in Barcelona, Grosjean quickest

Published on 15 May 2018 by Niels Hendrix

Today it is two years ago that the then 18-year-old Max Verstappen wrote history by winning his first Grand Prix as the youngest Formula 1 driver ever. However, the Aston Martin Red Bull Racing driver does not have much time to think about that memorable victory, as he finishes a full test day today, also in Barcelona.

Haas driver Romain Grosjean set the fastest time in the morning session of the first test day (1:18.449). Max Verstappen drove the third fastest time (1:19.207) and also had the winner of last Sunday, Lewis Hamilton (1:18.543) in front. Verstappen noted his fastest lap on the medium compound, while Grosjean was on the hypersofts, the softest Pirelli tyre. Hamilton set his fast time on the softs.

Force India and McLaren had two cars on track, as it was these teams turn to test the experimental tyres for next season. In the first hour, many sensors were installed on Verstappen’s RB14 to map the aerodynamic air flows. And Hamilton’s Mercedes from was equipped with two extra lights on the rear wing to test its visibility.

Also there were some rookies during this first morning of the two-day test in Barcelona. The most important thing during such a test day are the long stints and that is exactly what Max did. By lunchtime at 1 p.m. he had completed 75 laps, nine more than a Grand Prix race distance.

Results Tuesday morning, day 1 Barcelona (13.00):

   Driver       Team                	Time       Gap      Laps
1  Grosjean	Haas			1:18.449	    73
2  Hamilton	Mercedes		1:18.543   +0.094   71
3  Verstappen	Red Bull		1:19.207   +0.758   75
4  Sainz	Renault			1:19.866   +1.417   56
5  Vandoorne	McLaren			1:19.874   +1.425   31
6  Latifi	Force India		1:20.088   +1.639   61
7  Vettel	Ferrari			1:20.717   +2.268   78
8  Rowland	Williams		1:20.939   +2.490   61
9  Norris	McLaren			1:20.997   +2.548   76
10 Giovinazzi   Sauber			1:21.214   +2.765   67
11 Russel	Force India		1:21.478   +3.029   71