Albon completes 59 laps on final morning of testing

Published on 28 February 2020 by Stefan Meens

On the last morning of pre-season testing, Alexander Albon completed 59 laps of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya before handing over driving duties to Aston Martin Red Bull Racing team mate Max Verstappen in the afternoon. Albon’s best effort, 1:17.803, was only the tenth quickest of the morning, but was set on the hard C2 Pirelli compound.

Renault’s Daniel Ricciardo was quickest, setting a 1:16.276. Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton completed the most laps (90).

At the start of the session, Albon heads out with his RB16 sporting the aero-racks we have seen every day on the Red Bulls. After a few laps collecting data, Albon’s car is cleared of the ‘fences’ and he sets about completing 18 laps in the first hour.

At the halfway mark, Sergop Perez is quickest. The Racing Point driver managed a 1:16.6 on the yellow side-walled C3 Pirelli.

In the second half of the morning session, more and more drivers opt to use the softer compounds. Albon heads out on the C4 but is unable to make the most of the fresh rubber as he spins and ends up in the gravel. Luckily for him, he is able to make sure his RB16 does not sink in the sand but is able to drive back to the pits.

Right before lunch, Daniel Ricciardo sets a time, propelling him to the top of the timing sheets. The Australian clocks a 1:16.276 in his Renault. He is one of four drivers to dip below the 1:17 mark, joining Hamilton, Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), George Russell (Williams) and Daniil Kvyat (Alpha Tauri). The session ends with the Renault driver remaining on top.