Ricciardo set the fastest 2018 F1 testing time, Renault with 190 laps

Daniel Ricciardo set the fastest time of 2018 F1 testing in Barcelona, ​​a second faster than last year’s pole position, ahead of two Mercedes drivers Hamilton and Bottas while Renault drivers completed 190 laps, largest figure of all teams on this year’s testing.

Ricciardo clocked a 1:18.047 on the softest hypersoft compound, a second faster than the 2017 pole position and three and a half tenths faster than Hamilton in Mercedes on one step harder ultrasoft tyres.

Ricciardo also completed most laps from all drivers (165), but Mercedes and Renault completed more laps than Red Bull using both of their drivers.

Unlike in the first test, the teams have been more focused on performance in the second test and Alonso was quick to show that being the first driver to go below 1:20 on the hypersoft tyres.

Hamilton later set the best time for this year’s testing on medium tires and dropped below 1:19 for the first time and improved his time on ultrasoft and hypersoft tires. Although he completed nearly 50 laps throughout the morning, Alonso had to park his McLaren next due the oil leak, after which his team had to change the engine, which took longer than expected.

Alonso managed to return to the track, but only 13 minutes before the end of the second day. He completed 57 laps in the new MCL33, day after Vandoorne also had problems with only 38 laps. McLaren is the only team that today hasn’t improved their best time.

Ricciardo showed Red Bull Speed ​​on the softest compounds ultrasoft and hypersoft and set a new track record on softest compound hypersoft, 1:18.047.

That time is more than one second faster than the last year’s pole position (1:19.149) and three tenths faster than Massa testing the F2008 on slick tyres and shows that 2018 F1 cars will really be about two seconds faster as we expect more improvements until Spanish GP in May.

In the morning Sebastian Vettel replaced Kimi Raikkonenwho did not feel well and finished the fourth fastest on soft tires, behind Hamilton and Bottas in Mercedes, who together completed 175 laps. Ferrari had a less productive second day with a total of 115 laps after Raikkonen added another 49 laps afternoon. Renault drivers Hulkenberg and Sainz completed most laps their team, even though they were only seventh and fastest.

Toro Rosso had another productive day – Hartley finished fifth fastest (1:19.823) on hypersoft tires and added 119 laps for STR13 and their new Honda power unit RA618H.

Charles Leclerc also had a good day in Alfa Romeo Sauber – despite finishing 13th fastest he improved Ericsson’s best time from yesterday for one second. Few minutes before the end he caused the last red flag of the second day after he lost control and slid to the gravel trap.

Haas and Williams also had problems with reliability – Grosjean completed 78 laps in Haas VF-18 and Sirotkin 80 in Williams FW41.

DAY 2 RESULTS