FIA Formula 1 Test Barcelona – 26.02. – 01.03.2019

Scuderia Ferrari Mission Winnow – Barcelona F1 test 2 – Day 4

Posted: 01.03.2019
Source: Ferrari

110 laps for the SF90 on final day

Montmelò, 1 March 2019 – The second test prior to the 2019 Formula 1 season came to an end today at the Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit. Sebastian Vettel was at the wheel for Scuderia Ferrari Mission Winnow, completing 110 laps in the SF90. This means that, over the entire winter test sessions, the car did 996 laps, equivalent to 4,636 kilometers.

With the Chairman. Before the day’s work began, Ferrari Chairman John Elkann arrived in the garage to show his support for the team and wish everyone well prior to their departure for the Australian Grand Prix. On track, the German spent the first part of the morning working on set-up, doing 68 laps, with a best time of 1’16”221. In the afternoon, Sebastian did a series of long runs so that the team and the driver could replicate several of the scenarios they will face in Melbourne in around a fortnight’s time. Two hours before the end of the session, Vettel was asked to stop at Turn 2, because of an electrical problem. The car was brought back to the garage and it was decided to call a halt to testing.

Team Principal with the media. During the lunch break, Team Principal and Managing Director Mattia Binotto met the media to run through how the eight days of testing had gone. “These past days have been very intensive and interesting. We are still focusing on our car to understand its limits in terms of performance and reliability,” he said.

Still a loto to do. “Overall, I am pleased with the work we have carried out,” he continued. “I am pleased with how the car behaves and it was well balanced at this track. However, we cannot be completely satisfied at the moment as we would like to be faster and more reliable. So there’s still a lot to do. Our programme didn’t always run as smoothly as we would have liked, due to reliability issues and Sebastian’s crash when a wheel rim broke. There are still many issues to be addressed and we must push forward on the performance front. The fact that our car is running properly is a good starting point, but we are still not ready for Melbourne and I’d say it’s a case of a work in progress.”

The drivers. “Both drivers set very similar lap times,” concluded Binotto. “We already knew that Charles is a very fast driver, as we have seen throughout his years with the Ferrari Driver Academy and last season in Formula 1. As for Sebastian, his performance shows him to be the multi-world champion we already know.”

Barcelona F1 Test 2 – Day 4 – Result

Scuderia Ferrari Mission Winnow – Barcelona F1 test 2 – Day 3

Posted: 28.02.2019
Source: Ferrari

First GP simulation with Ferrari for Leclerc

Montmelò, 28 February 2019 – For the third day of Test 2 at the Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit, Charles Leclerc was at the wheel of the SF90 for Scuderia Ferrari Mission Winnow. The Monegasque driver completed the planned programme, which consisted mainly of simulating key phases of a race weekend. Charles did a total of 138 laps.

Simulation work. Leclerc got down to work shortly after 9, trying various set-ups, before pitting to prepare for the simulation work. Before lunch, the SF90 was fitted with the soft compound tyres and Charles set his best time of 1’16”231.

Grand Prix. Having done 56 laps in the morning, the team then began a race simulation in the afternoon. Charles took off from the starting place at the end of the pit lane and the full race distance went off without a hitch, with the mechanics getting in some pit stop practice. The car then pitted for routine checks, before getting on with the programme.

Profitable day. Shortly before the chequered flag to end the day, a small issue on one exhaust meant Charles had to park at the side of the track at Turn 9, but overall it had been a profitable day. “It didn’t look as though today would be easy, given that we had to make up for yesterday’s lost time, but we got it done and that was very positive, especially as this was my last day in the car before Australia,” commented Charles. “I am very happy because we worked really well. It’s been an encouraging start to the season and I feel about ready. Now, I can’t wait to take part in my first real Grand Prix with Ferrari.”

Building confidence. Leclerc also talked to the media during the lunch break and gave an overview of the tests. “The SF90 is solid and the balance is good and consistent,” he said. “That’s been the clear impression right from the first day and it hasn’t changed. I’ve still got a lot to learn, but up until now, I can say I’m satisfied. My lap time? Of course it’s nice to top the time sheet, but it doesn’t mean anything. What matters is that, lap after lap, I am getting more and more dialled in to this car”.

Vettel tomorrow. For tomorrow’s final day of testing prior to the Australian Grand Prix, Sebastian Vettel will be once again at the wheel of the SF90.

Barcelona F1 Test 2 – Day 3 – Result

Scuderia Ferrari Mission Winnow – Barcelona F1 test 2 – Day 2

Posted: 27.02.2019
Source: Ferrari

Not a very productive day

Montmelò, 27 February 2019 – The second day of test 2 at the Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit, in preparation for the start of the Formula 1 season, was not particularly productive for Scuderia Ferrari Mission Winnow. The plan was for Sebastian Vettel to drive the SF90 in the morning and for Charles Leclerc to take over in the afternoon. However, an off-track caused by a mechanical problem just before midday, meant that no more running was substantially possible today.

Driver unhurt. Sebastian Vettel went out on track shortly after 9am and was trying the car in different configurations. Halfway through the morning, a mechanical problem with the front left corner on the SF90 saw Sebastian go off the track at Turn 3. The driver was unhurt but went to the medical centre for the usual checks. Up to that point, Sebastian had completed 40 laps, with a best time of 1’18”195.

Meticolous check. Once back in the garage, the team set about a meticulous check of the car to establish the cause of the crash. The analysis is still on course. Meanwhile the SF90 was repaired in time for Charles Leclerc to get out in the afternoon for an installation lap.

Still a positive feeling. “Clearly, we have not done as much running as we would have liked”, Sebastian told the press during the lunch break. “But I’d still say I’m getting a positive feeling from the car. Last week was definitely productive as we completed a lot of mileage and also yesterday, we were able to make up for the track time lost in the morning”. “As for the accident,” continued the German, “I was going into Turn 3 and I had a feeling there was an issue with the front left corner of the car and from then on, there was nothing I could do to avoid the impact. The good thing is I am totally fine and, by the end of the day, thanks to a great job from the mechanics, we even managed to get the car back on track.”

Charles in. Testing continues until the end of Friday and the team has decided to have its drivers do a complete day each at the wheel, so that the work can progress in a more linear fashion. Charles will drive tomorrow, before handing over to Sebastian for the final day.

Barcelona F1 Test 2 – Day 2 – Result

Scuderia Ferrari Mission Winnow – Barcelona F1 test 2 – Day 1

Posted: 26.02.2019
Source: Ferrari

110 laps for the SF90

Montmelò, 26 February 2019 – Today was the first day of the final four-day test session at the Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit, prior to the start of the 2019 Formula 1 season. Charles Leclerc was at the wheel of Scuderia Ferrari Mission Winnow’s SF90 in the morning and Sebastian Vettel drove in the afternoon. Between them, they completed 110 laps.

Checks required. Leclerc spent less time on track than planned, because some checks were required on the SF90’s cooling system. The Monegasque driver did 29 laps, working on set-up and tyre evaluation, before it was time to hand over to his team-mate.

Track conditions different. Charles’ best time was a 1’18”651 and had this to say at the end of his time in the car. “This morning we did fewer laps than planned, but I’m sure we can make up for lost work in the coming days. Track conditions were slightly different today compared to the first test, so it took a moment to adapt to them”.

Seb in. Sebastian Vettel got behind the wheel shortly after 2pm and continued working on the car in different configurations and simulating various race scenarios, including some long runs. The German did a total of 81 laps, with a best time of 1’17”925.

A busy afternoon. “It was a busy afternoon, but it was good to make up for the laps lost in the morning” – commented Sebastian at the end of the day – “We are still trying to understand the car, trying various set-ups. This afternoon, we also had a first go with the supersoft compound, just to get some more information. The next couple of days will be important for us”.

Tomorrow. Testing at the Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit continues until Friday. Sebastian Vettel will be first in the cockpit of the SF90 tomorrow, before Charles Leclerc takes over for the afternoon.

Barcelona F1 Test 2 – Day 1 – Result