Barcelona Test: Russell Sets Fastest Time, McLaren Launches MCL40 | F1 News
Testing at the Barcelona circuit continued under more favorable conditions on Wednesday, marking a busier day than the previous session which involved only two teams. Ultimately, six teams took to the track.
McLaren Returns to the Track
A Long-Awaited Debut
The day saw the highly anticipated debut of McLaren’s new car, the MCL40. After sitting out the first two days of testing, the team finally ran their new machine, sporting a black test livery. This is the first McLaren car since 2010 to feature the number 1, and Lando Norris was behind the wheel on Wednesday.
The McLaren team didn’t rush onto the track, waiting until late in the second test hour to emerge from the garage. Initially, the car completed only an installation lap, followed by a period of kilometer building approximately half an hour later. Norris’s first recorded lap time was 1:24.635.
Mercedes Leads in Laps and Pace
Mercedes completed the most laps of any team during the morning session, exceeding the distance of a full Barcelona race – a total of 92 laps, according to the team. This indicates continued reliability of both the engine and the car. George Russell primarily used the hard, C1 tire compound during his runs.
Russell also set the fastest lap time of the week so far, a 1:17.580, as reported by Sky Sports. This performance places him at the top of the timing sheets for the test thus far.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli is scheduled to take over driving duties for Mercedes after the lunch break.
Other Teams and Challenges
Alpine’s Franco Colapinto held the fastest time for much of the morning, achieving a 1:19.150, and utilizing the softer C3 tire compound. Racing Bulls, Haas, and Audi also participated in Wednesday’s testing.
However, the day wasn’t without its interruptions. Two red flag incidents occurred. The first came after 10:00 AM when Nico Hülkenberg’s Audi came to a halt before Turn 10, requiring the car to be transported back to the team garage. The team is currently investigating a technical issue, with reports suggesting a possible hydraulic problem. The R26 has not returned to the track since.
Shortly before 11:30 AM, Haas experienced issues with Oliver Bearman’s car, which stopped at Turn 2 due to a technical problem, not a spin. Bearman did not complete any further laps, a significant contrast to Esteban Ocon’s 150+ laps on Monday.
Testing will resume at 2:00 PM and continue until 6:00 PM, with potential driver changes for some teams. Pierre Gasly is expected to drive for Alpine alongside Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
Barcelona Test – Day 3 Standings (Midday – Unofficial)
| Driver | Team | Time | Difference | Laps | |
| 1. | George Russell | Mercedes | 1:17,580 | 92 | |
| 2. | Franco Colapinto | Alpine | 1:19,150 | +1,570 | 56 |
| 3. | Lando Norris | McLaren | 1:19,672 | +2,092 | 33 |
| 4. | Arvid Lindblad | Racing Bulls | 1:20,714 | +3,134 | 61 |
| 5. | Oliver Bearman | Haas | 1:20,840 | +3,260 | 21 |
| 6. | Nico Hülkenberg | Audi | idő nélkül | +-,— | 5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What teams participated in Wednesday’s testing?
Mercedes, Alpine, Racing Bulls, Haas, Audi, and McLaren all sent cars onto the track on Wednesday.
Who set the fastest lap time on Wednesday?
George Russell of Mercedes set the fastest lap time of the day with a 1:17.580.
What issues did the Audi and Haas teams encounter?
Nico Hülkenberg’s Audi stopped on track due to a suspected hydraulic issue, and Oliver Bearman’s Haas experienced a technical problem at Turn 2.
With several teams still working through issues and driver changes planned for the afternoon session, what further developments do you anticipate as the Barcelona test continues?