Lando Norris set the quickest time as Formula 1’s second pre-season test got underway, while reigning World Champions Mercedes suffered a setback
Norris posted a time of 1:17.709 on Pirelli’s C4 tyres during the final hour to edge 0.006s clear of Red Bull’s Pierre Gasly, who was the most productive driver, completing 137 laps.
It was not the smoothest day for McLaren and Norris as the British rookie twice stopped on circuit; the first due to a loss of hydraulic pressure, while the cause of the second stoppage has yet to be determined.
Mercedes, meanwhile, encountered its first major problem of pre-season testing. The team introduced a raft of updates to its W10 for Lewis Hamilton to drive during the morning session and he amassed a healthy total of 83 laps.
But on Valtteri Bottas’ out lap shortly after lunch the W10 came to a halt after just three corners due to an oil pressure problem.
Mercedes was forced to undertake a power unit change – allowing it to conduct an evaluation of the problem – meaning Bottas returned to action with only 10 minutes left in the four-hour session.
Lance Stroll was third for Racing Point while Sebastian Vettel took over testing duties from Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc for the afternoon and classified fourth.
Leclerc, whose initial run plan was delayed by cooling system checks, wound up seventh, behind morning pacesetter Antonio Giovinazzi (Alfa Romeo) and Alexander Albon (Toro Rosso).
Kevin Magnussen was eighth for Haas, while George Russell added much-needed mileage to Williams’ FW42, following last week’s delayed start.
Ninth-placed Russell finished with 120 laps and will hand over duties to Robert Kubica for Wednesday’s running.
Daniel Ricciardo and Nico Hulkenberg were 10th and 13th respectively for Renault, sandwiching Mercedes drivers Bottas and Hamilton; Renault was the most productive team as its two drivers combined to rack up 157 laps.
Testing will resume at 09:00 on Wednesday.
Pos | Driver | Team | Time | Gap | Laps |
1 | Lando Norris | McLaren | 1:17.709 | 80 | |
2 | Pierre Gasly | Red Bull | 1:17.715 | 0.006 | 136 |
3 | Lance Stroll | Racing Point | 1:17.824 | 0.115 | 82 |
4 | Sebastian Vettel | Ferrari | 1:17.925 | 0.216 | 81 |
5 | Antonio Giovinazzi | Alfa Romeo | 1:18.589 | 0.880 | 99 |
6 | Alexander Albon | Toro Rosso | 1:18.649 | 0.940 | 103 |
7 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 1:18.651 | 0.942 | 29 |
8 | Kevin Magnussen | Haas | 1:18.769 | 1.060 | 131 |
9 | George Russell | Williams | 1:19.662 | 1.953 | 119 |
10 | Daniel Ricciardo | Renault | 1:20.107 | 2.398 | 77 |
11 | Valtteri Bottas | Mercedes | 1:20.167 | 2.458 | 7 |
12 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 1:20.332 | 2.623 | 83 |
13 | Nico Hulkenberg | Renault | 1:20.348 | 2.639 | 80 |