Nico Hulkenberg has put Renault on top at Formula’s 1 first pre-season test by setting the fastest time of the week on a bittersweet final day for the French firm at Barcelona.
The German driver clocked a 1:17.393s benchmark in the final half hour of running using Pirelli’s softest rubber.
However, the day ended on a sour note for Renault as the RS19 stopped on track shortly after topping the time sheets.
As a result, Renault logged only 58 laps, which was the least of any of the teams on the final day.
New signing Daniel Ricciardo completed 34 laps during the morning which saw him set the second fastest time behind early pacesetter Alexander Albon for Toro Rosso.
Albon’s time stood until Hulkenberg’s effort surpassed the former F2 driver by 0.244s as Toro Rosso chalked up 136 laps.
Buy tickets
Ricciardo was left to settle for third albeit 0.392s adrift of team-mate Hulkenberg.
Valtteri Bottas posted the fourth fastest time for Mercedes with the Finn also using Pirelli’s softest C5 rubber.
Bottas took over the car from Lewis Hamilton for the afternoon session after the Brit had posted a the quickest time on C4 spec tyres which was good enough for fifth overall.
Ferrari emerged in sixth following Charles Leclerc’s best effort on the harder C3 compound tyres.
A late effort put Lando Norris seventh in the McLaren ahead of Alfa Romeo’s Antonio Giovinazzi, who impressed over long runs.
Although, his Alfa Romeo did bring out the red flags twice in quick succession when the car stopped on track twice in final minutes.
Haas F1 rounded out the top 10 as Romain Grosjean edged Kevin Magnussen.
Red Bull completed 146 laps with Pierre Gasly at the wheel having focussed largely on long run pace.
Racing Point and Williams propped up the time sheets although the latter continued to struggle after missing the opening two and half days of running due to the build delay with its car.
The final four-day F1 pre-season test at Barcelona begins on February 26.
Results: Formula 1 Pre-Season Test 1, Day 4
| Position | Driver | Car | Gap | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nico Hulkenberg | Renault | 1:17.393s | 24 |
| 2 | Alexander Albon | Toro Rosso/Honda | +0.244s | 136 |
| 3 | Daniel Ricciardo | Renault | +0.392s | 34 |
| 4 | Valtteri Bottas | Mercedes | +0.464s | 57 |
| 5 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | +0.584s | 58 |
| 6 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | +0.653s | 138 |
| 7 | Lando Norris | McLaren/Renault | +1.038s | 132 |
| 8 | Antonio Giovinazzi | Alfa Romeo/Ferrari | +1.118s | 154 |
| 9 | Romain Grosjean | Haas/Ferrari | +1.170s | 64 |
| 10 | Kevin Magnussen | Haas/Ferrari | +1.327s | 66 |
| 11 | Pierre Gasly | Red Bull/Honda | +1.387s | 146 |
| 12 | Lance Stroll | Racing Point/Mercedes | +2.271s | 72 |
| 13 | George Russell | Williams/Mercedes | +3.604s | 17 |
| 14 | Robert Kubica | Williams/Mercedes | +4.149s | 48 |
Discussion about this post