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Formula 1

Barcelona F1 test day one

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Now Hulkenberg goes third-quickest in the Renault with a 1m23.854s, demoting Alonso to fourth.
Second now for Ricciardo, who improves to a 1m23.221s, as Bottas heads back out in the Mercedes.
A full look at the last F1 car we were waiting for - this is Force India's revised livery for 2018 (Sutton Images)

A full look at the last F1 car we were waiting for - this is Force India's revised livery for 2018 (Sutton Images)

As the Red Bull edges its way up the timing screens, here's a look back at GARY ANDERSON's early thoughts on it after a launch that was a bit too reminiscent of its 2017 tactics:

Has bold-looking Red Bull repeated its 2017 mistake?

Last year Red Bull's much-anticipated Formula 1 challenger was a little underwhelming in launch trim. Its successor's bold special livery has turned heads, but is it also disguising an unspectacular design beneath?

Has bold-looking Red Bull repeated its 2017 mistake?
Another place gained by Ricciardo as he sets a 1m24.749s to go third ahead of Hulkenberg.
Ricciardo improves to a 1m25.699s, moving back ahead of Hartley into fourth place.
Hulkenberg and Ericsson join Ricciardo on track as Raikkonen pits the Ferrari.
Most outlandishly large sensor of the day so far award is currently head by Renault for this effort on Hulkenberg's early runs (Sutton Images)

Most outlandishly large sensor of the day so far award is currently head by Renault for this effort on Hulkenberg's early runs (Sutton Images)

Ricciardo heads out on track as Raikkonen makes another minor improvement in the Ferrari.
Hartley leads the lapcount stakes so far on 18, ahead of Bottas (15) and Hulkenberg (10).
There's an huge array of shots - covering on-track action, off-track incidents and tech close-ups - from today so far in the motorsport.com gallery:

FIA Formula 1 2017 | Browse Exclusive Photos of F1 Teams, Drivers, Events and more.

FIA Formula 1 2017 | Browse Exclusive Photos of F1 Teams, Drivers, Events and more.
Raikkonen, whose Ferrari is now the only car on track as Hartley pits, improves to a 1m30.189s.
Edd Straw
It'll be interesting to see how the Renault team goes at this test. At the filming day on Saturday, the team was delighted to rattle through its 100kms before 1pm and nothing alarming showed up. For all the Renault-powered teams, mileage is crucial and there's been a lot of focus on this at the Viry engine base.

Apparently, Renault has done around 70,000km on the dyno, far more than in previous years, and has already managed to get at least one engine to do a full life-cycle for the three-engines per driver regulation on the dyno. The priority is clearly ensure that the package works, then wind up the performance.
Hartley meanwhile has moved up to fourth ahead of Ricciardo with a 1m26.430s.
Raikkonen sets a 1m31.649s on mediums, staying sixth.
Hartley had the track to himself for a spell

Hartley had the track to himself for a spell

More steady progress from Hartley, who is now down to a 1m27.543s. Raikkonen and Ericsson have now joined him on track.
Hartley dips underneath the 90-second barrier with a 1m29.810s. He's the only car still on track.
And another shot of Alonso's wheel problem diagnosis efforts

And another shot of Alonso's wheel problem diagnosis efforts

While cars are on track, Toro Rosso top brass are addressing the media about how things are going with Honda so far. We'll bring you the full story later but we'll also share some of the soundbites emerging via the team's twitter feed.
Steadier progress for Hartley in the Honda-powered Toro Rosso, the Kiwi remains fifth on a 1m32.293s.
Big improvement by Hulkenberg, who moves ahead of Ricciardo into third with a 1m25.088s.
Bottas also out on track, but he's doing constant speed runs in the Mercedes at the moment.
More improvements by both Hulkenberg and Hartley, who remain fourth and fifth. Now they're joined on track by Mazepin and Stroll, who have both yet to set times.
A very familiar sight from 2017 that McLaren had hoped wouldn't be repeated in '18. On the plus side, at least the engine wasn't on fire

A very familiar sight from 2017 that McLaren had hoped wouldn't be repeated in '18. On the plus side, at least the engine wasn't on fire

Now Hartley gets himself on the board with a 1m37.890s on softs. Hulkenberg has improved to a 1m30.113s, meanwhile.
Hulkenberg sets his first time of the day, a 1m34.403s, on mediums.
And EDD STRAW got this snap of the stricken McLaren returning to the pits

And EDD STRAW got this snap of the stricken McLaren returning to the pits

Alonso investigating why his McLaren-Renault had become a three-wheeler

Alonso investigating why his McLaren-Renault had become a three-wheeler

Ericsson also back out for more laps in the Sauber.
Bottas, Hartley and Hulkenberg are the first takers, closely followed by Grosjean.
Green flag
And we're green.
This is why we've been under red flag conditions

This is why we've been under red flag conditions

Alonso's car has been cleared, so we should be back underway soon.
Autosport
As the clean-up continues at Barcelona, here are some initial shots from the early running in the Autosport gallery:

Barcelona F1 testing day one - Gallery - Autosport

Barcelona F1 testing day one images from Autosport's team of photographers

Barcelona F1 testing day one - Gallery - Autosport

By: Geoff Creighton

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