Barcelona F1 test: Hamilton fastest as rain hits the track
Lewis Hamilton topped the first morning session of the third pre-season Formula 1 test at Barcelona
In a session afflicted by several rain showers, drivers constantly switched between wet and intermediate rubber.
Mark Webber's Red Bull was the first to set a proper time, on wets, before people started to try Pirelli's inter tyre.
Jean-Eric Vergne's Toro Rosso and Felipe Massa then took it in turns to go quickest, with Vergne staying on top for some time with 1m42.155s, set on inters.
But, with the track at its best just after the halfway point in the session, Hamilton's Mercedes started a strong run of times on intermediates.
He set a string of 1m42s and recorded a best of 1m41.614s, which would remain the fastest of the session despite being around 20 seconds off a dry time.
Shortly after Hamilton's lap, Massa recorded 1m41.848s to end up second, ahead of Vergne.
Webber was often quickest when the rain was falling and ended the morning fourth fastest.
Two drivers were caught out by the tricky conditions and caused red flags. Romain Grosjean dropped his Lotus at Turn 12 before he had even completed a flying lap, while the Sauber of Esteban Gutierrez went off at Turn 3 just before the end of the session.
The F1 rookie had nevertheless completed more laps than anyone else and ended up sixth, behind Paul di Resta's Force India, but ahead of Grosjean.
Morning times Pos Driver Team Time Gap Laps 1. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1m41.614s 43 2. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1m41.848s + 0.234s 40 3. Jean-Eric Vergne Toro Rosso 1m42.155s + 0.541s 38 4. Mark Webber Red Bull 1m43.649s + 2.035s 44 5. Paul di Resta Force India 1m44.444s + 2.830s 33 6. Esteban Gutierrez Sauber 1m45.020s + 3.406s 47 7. Romain Grosjean Lotus 1m45.147s + 3.533s 29 8. Valtteri Bottas Williams 1m45.457s + 3.843s 44 9. Charles Pic Caterham 1m47.521s + 5.907s 31 10. Sergio Perez McLaren 1m48.562s + 6.948s 23 11. Max Chilton Marussia 1m50.253s + 8.639s 34
Previous article
Pirelli warns Formula 1 time is running out for new tyre deal
Next article
Adrian Sutil reinvigorated as Force India F1 deal confirmed
About this article
| Series | Formula 1 |
| Drivers | Lewis Hamilton |
| Author | Kevin Turner |
Starting Grid for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix
F1 Fast Facts: Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
How 2021's midfielders have taken lessons from F1's top teams
Formula 1’s latest Imola adventure turned into an expensive trip for many teams due to several crashes throughout the weekend. While balancing the books is an added factor in 2021 with the cost cap, a few midfield teams have cashed in early on development investments
Emilia Romagna Grand Prix Driver Ratings
A frantic wet race at Imola produced plenty of excitement and drama as drivers scrabbled for grip. Amid the hatful of mistakes and incidents that ensued, who kept their noses cleanest?
How the Emilia Romagna GP result hinged on three crucial saves
Rain before the start of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix promised to spice up the action, and the race certainly delivered on that. Max Verstappen got the best launch to win from Lewis Hamilton, but both got away with mistakes that could have had serious consequences
The back-bedroom world-beater that began a new F1 era
The first in a line of world beaters was designed in a back bedroom and then constructed in a shed. STUART CODLING recalls the Tyrrell 001
The clues Hamilton’s F1 contract afterthought gives to his future
The Formula 1 world reacted with surprise when it learned Lewis Hamilton’s long-awaited new Mercedes deal guarantees his presence on the grid only until the end of 2021. Both parties claimed publicly they were happy with the arrangement but, asks MARK GALLAGHER, is there more to it than that?
How a harshly ejected Red Bull star has been hooked by racing again
Driver-turned-DJ Jaime Alguersuari lost his love for motorsport when he was booted out of Formula 1 just as he was starting to polish his rough edges. Having drifted from category to category then turned his back on racing altogether in 2015, he’s come full circle and is planning a return in karts for fun
Why Mercedes isn't confident it's really ahead of Red Bull at Imola
While Mercedes struck back against Red Bull by topping the times at Imola on Friday ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, the overall picture remains incredibly close. Despite having a possible edge this weekend, the reigning Formula 1 world champion squad is not taking anything for granted...
What Mercedes must do to keep its F1 title challenge on track
Mercedes may find itself leading the drivers' and constructors' standings after Lewis Hamilton's victory in the Bahrain Grand Prix, but it is well-aware that it came against the odds, with Red Bull clearly ahead on pace. Here's what the Brackley team must do to avoid its crown slipping
