MOTORSPORT: Go time for all-new F1 racers
Formula 1 hits the track for pre-season testing as new-for-2022 technical packages debutThe hoped-for shake-up in Formula 1 has not happened on the opening day of grand prix testing for 2022 in Spain.
An all-new technical package, with cars that look significantly different from the outgoing racers and promise closer competition, has not made any worthwhile difference to the pecking order from season 2021.
Lando Norris clocked the quickest lap at the Barcelona circuit in his McLaren, but Alfa Romeo, Haas and Williams were still at the bottom of the time sheets.
While Norris lapped in 1 minute 19.568 seconds and covered 103 laps, cashed-up test driver Robert Kubica only managed nine laps for Alfa Romeo as was a full 6.3sec off the benchmark time.
Aussie racer Daniel Ricciardo will not get into the McLaren MCL36 until tomorrow, but the team was still able to shade Ferrari and Mercedes-AMG.
New world champion Max Verstappen was only ninth quickest for Red Bull, although he completed the greatest mileage by covering 147 laps.
“It’s nice to have a change and it was a productive day. We learned a lot of things for the team, and we got all the information we wanted to,” said Norris.
“We can now compare it back to the simulator and the wind tunnel. A good day, and a good start to this test.”
For Verstappen, the first driver to carry the champion’s #1 since Lewis Hamilton began his run of world titles, the new cars are taking some learning.
“I think the car looks good but the most important thing is that it is fast, and that’s what we are trying to see,” said Verstappen.
“We want to get laps in today to get used to the car and to get a general understanding about how it’s behaving. As well as that, we needed the mileage to see how the parts held up. Everything worked pretty well, so it was a good start and a positive day.”
Formula 1 Pre-Season Test Barcelona – Day One:
- Lando Norris, McLaren – 1:19.568
- Charles Leclerc, Ferrari – 1:20.165
- Carlos Sainz, Ferrari – 1:20.416
- George Russell, Mercedes-AMG – 1:20.784
- Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-AMG – 1:20.929
- Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin – 1:21.276
- Yuki Tsunoda, AlphaTauri – 1:21.638
- Fernando Alonso, Alpine – 1:21.746
- Max Verstappen, Red Bull – 1:22.246
- Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo – 1:22.572
- Alex Albon, Williams – 1:22.327
- Mick Schumacher, Haas – 1:22.926
- Lance Stroll, Aston Martin – 1:23.327
- Nicholas Latifi, Williams – 1:23.327
- Nikita Mazepin, Haas – 1:24.505
- Robert Kubica, Alfa Romeo – 1:25.909
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