[smr2018test]
Fernando Alonso was the only driver to set a lap time as the third day of testing at the Circuit de Catalunya was shortened by more bad weather.
With snow falling at the track in the morning the start of the session was delayed by three hours. Once the green light finally shone at midday another hour passed before anyone ventured out on track.
Alonso was the first driver to explore the cold and very wet circuit following the overnight repairs to the McLaren MCL33 after Stoffel Vandoorne’s exhaust problem yesterday. Shortly before the chequered flag fell he completed the day’s only timed laps, almost a minute off the dry-weather pace.
He covered a total of eight laps during the session, the most of the five drivers who ventured out of the pits during the session. Daniel Ricciardo and Brendon Hartley did a pair of installation laps while Marcus Ericsson and Robert Kubica ventured out once each.
The disruption means Sergio Perez is yet to turn his first laps in the new Force India VJM11. The team confirmed he will drive tomorrow, a day which was originally scheduled for test driver Nicholas Latifi, who is absent from the test due to an infection.
Ferrari, Haas, Renault and Mercedes also opted not to send their cars out in the poor conditions.
| Pos. | Car number | Driver | Team | Model | Best time | Gap | Laps | Tyres |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 14 | Fernando Alonso | McLaren | MCL33 | 2’18.545 | 11 | Wet | |
| 2 | 3 | Daniel Ricciardo | Red Bull | RB14 | 2 | |||
| 3 | 28 | Brendon Hartley | Toro Rosso | STR13 | 2 | |||
| 4 | 9 | Marcus Ericsson | Sauber | C37 | 1 | |||
| 5 | 40 | Robert Kubica | Williams | FW41 | 1 |
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Hugh (@hugh11)
28th February 2018, 17:24
Hopefully that’s not the only time we’ll see a McLaren in 1st this year.
Although I feel really bad for all the reporters, photographers, and especially fans who went today.
Sviat
28th February 2018, 17:47
There were two Ferrari fans, I think?
Pratyush P (@pratyushp276)
28th February 2018, 17:33
Good to finally see a McLaren heading the lap count on a testing day…. he he
nase
28th February 2018, 17:40
@pratyushp276
And only one lap short of completing twice as many laps as the rest of the paddock combined!
Jokes aside:
It was a good day for McLaren’s sponsors, as the Alonso’s handful of laps must’ve produced a trillion pictures of a McLaren from all angles, for a lack of other motives, so that articles around the globe will almost certainly feature one of these pictures. Unless someone picks Mercedes’s brand-themed snowman instead. In that case, it was all in vain.
dutchtreat (@dutchtreat)
28th February 2018, 17:43
The HALO seems like a perfect spot to hang his wet overalls…
NewVerstappenFan (@jureo)
28th February 2018, 18:10
Tell you what, that McLaren looks good in the wet, miles ahead of competition.
Also Alonso, master of changable conditions, Ham and Ves watchout.
Joao (@johnmilk)
28th February 2018, 19:07
if it snows, they can all forget it, its Alonso’s and McLaren’s race
Tifoso1989 (@tifoso1989)
28th February 2018, 18:23
This is not the first time Alonso has actually tested an F1 car in the snow on race track. I think he tested the Renault R25 in a snow testing session in Silverstone back in 2005.
Jere (@jerejj)
28th February 2018, 18:37
@tifoso1989 Yes, that’s true: https://www.reddit.com/r/formula1/comments/7ip796/alonso_testing_in_the_snow_silverstone_2005/
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/renault-silverstone-test-notes-2005-02-22/
Mark Thomson (@melthom)
28th February 2018, 18:31
The race pace may have reminded him of the Honda days
mystic one (@mysticus)
28th February 2018, 19:22
where was the snow tyres when we need them? obviously they never think of these kind of situations! would love to see F1 in snow! no wonder ratings are low in arctic weather countries..
nase
28th February 2018, 20:05
@mysticus
Doesn’t matter, as long as the ratings stay over 146% in Russia.
mog
28th February 2018, 20:31
Showboating. ;)
Jimmi Cynic (@jimmi-cynic)
28th February 2018, 21:00
Snowboating. :-)
mog
28th February 2018, 22:17
Good one. Lol
Aaron Andino (@zhunterzz)
28th February 2018, 21:39
I love how Alonso just gets out there. I almost think it shows how excited he is about this year. Looking for a fresh start on the season.
elio (@elio)
28th February 2018, 21:53
I fear this is going to be another disappointing season for McLaren.
Jimmi Cynic (@jimmi-cynic)
28th February 2018, 22:16
Not if FOM activates the artificial snow machines at selected venues