Pre-Season Testing Barcelona – Day 3: Force India Comes Out, Haas Celebrates, (Almost) Successful Day for Renault

Nico Hülkenberg set the fastest time of the day around 4 p.m., equipped with red-banded super-soft tires. For this, the Force India driver took advantage of ideal conditions: sunny weather, 16.5 degrees in the air compared to nearly 32 degrees at the peak of the day.

Before that, the winner of the 2015 24 Hours of Le Mans had already made a mark in the morning with a good time (1’25″266) set at midday on the medium compound from the Pirelli range. Enthusiasm is spreading among the ranks of Force India: the VJM09 seems to have been well-born. Sergio Perez has even admitted that the car has a very big potential. Nico Hülkenberg, with his new helmet, might have a great opportunity to secure (finally!) the first podium of his Formula 1 career. However, this time should be put into perspective as Force India is the only car to have used the super-soft tires today.

Somebody is eager to test his new machine! Welcome to the VJM09, @HulkHülkenberg! #FeelTheForce pic.twitter.com/ChQnxSy8hk

— Sahara Force India (@ForceIndiaF1) 24 Février /f1/actualite/20725-des-qualifications-encore-plus-compliquees-a-suivre-.html

Hulk is ahead of Romain Grosjean in today’s standings. The Frenchman had another solid day of running for the American team with a total of 82 laps and notably a lap time of 1:25:874, achieved at the very end of the day on soft tires. However, the Frenchman spent over an hour in the pits at the start of the afternoon and only really ran in the last two hours of the day. But the successive good lap times at the end of the session must surely please Gene Haas!

Behind him, Kimi Räikkönen managed to bounce back after a difficult morning. Scuderia Ferrari indeed encountered its first real issue of these winter tests, with a problem with the fuel system. Continuing the trend from 2015, Räikkönen was once again slowed down, having completed only four laps by the end of the morning. He made up for it in the afternoon with a time of 1’25″977, “only” on medium tires, for a satisfactory total of 78 laps covered.

The Finn is ahead of the surprising Kevin Magnussen. The Renault Sport F1 Team is regaining its form after two difficult days with the unfortunate Jolyon Palmer at the wheel. After suffering software issues on Monday and a turbo failure yesterday, the Renault team racked up laps today: 111 for Magnussen today, a figure to be compared with the 79 laps completed by Palmer over the first two days. The performance is also commendable with a time of 1’26″014 on soft tires (while the rest of the field mainly ran on medium tires).

Everything was going perfectly for the French team, but a setback occurred around 5:00 PM: the engine of the R.S 16 gave out on the pit straight. But surprisingly, the Dane was able to get back on track in the last quarter-hour to complete eight additional laps.

Heading back out. 103 laps logged, 1:26.014, P4. Let’s see what else we can do. #F1testing pic.twitter.com/qvJWCsDeW6

— Renault Sport F1 (@RenaultSportF1) 24 Février /f1/actualite/20725-des-qualifications-encore-plus-compliquees-a-suivre-.html

Magnussen’s time allows him to surpass the Mercedes of Hamilton and Rosberg. Unusually, the two team drivers shared the task this Wednesday: Nico Rosberg completing 74 laps in the morning and Lewis Hamilton doing 88 laps in the afternoon in the W007. Toto Wolff made a last-minute change to the team’s schedule to give his two drivers a break. With the mild weather, the Mercedes director hoped to reach the milestone of 180 laps.

Like many other teams, Mercedes nevertheless spent a few laps on the track with a car equipped with aerodynamic sensors. The focus is still more on research than performance for the reigning World Champion team. Fifth-fastest time for Rosberg compared to an eighth place for Hamilton. They surround Carlos Sainz Junior, who completed an impressive 161 laps, and Felipe Nasr, still in a 2015 version Sauber.

Further down, we find Daniil Kyvat in 9th position, ahead of Felipe Massa, who exceeds the 100-lap mark on his first day of testing /f1/actualite/20725-des-qualifications-encore-plus-compliquees-a-suivre-.html at the wheel of the Williams.

In 11th position, Jenson Button and McLaren-Honda primarily focused on a short program. The 2009 World Champion completed 51 laps today, the lowest total among the cars on track. The day was also marred by a minor fire at McLaren, caused by a hydraulic leak on the MP4-31. However, this incident did not have a major impact on the execution of their program.

Finally, Rio Haryanto’s first day in Formula 1 encountered a major incident with this spin that occurred shortly before the lunch break. The Indonesian, however, did not damage his car and was able to continue with his program in the afternoon.

CLASSIFICATION – END OF DAY 3@HulkHülkenberg = ⏱@carlosainz = 💪#F1Testing pic.twitter.com/UXzVhmaSBc

— Formula 1 (@F1) 24 Février /f1/actualite/20725-des-qualifications-encore-plus-compliquees-a-suivre-.html

Additional information:

The ideas are bubbling in the minds of the top decision-makers in Formula 1. Meeting yesterday in Geneva to set new rules for the 2017 season, the Strategy Group of the discipline is proposing new measures that will make waves.

The news had already leaked last night: a new qualification system is expected to emerge. Eric Boullier took the opportunity to support the proposal. I don’t think there will be a big change in the qualification format, except that it will create much more suspense.

This will push the drivers to drive at the limit and to make a good lap at the right timing. There will be additional pressure on the shoulders of the drivers but also on the teams, added the McLaren race director.

Furthermore, the major decision-makers in the discipline would be ready to modify the fuel restrictions imposed during the race. Currently set at a maximum level of 100 kg of fuel consumed per Grand Prix, Eric Boullier stated that the Strategy Group is considering easing this restriction.

Another measure, more honorary, the FIA will introduce a new award from this season: the Driver of the Day. Fans will be able to vote for the driver of their choice via the Internet and social media. The lucky winner will receive an award, and their identity will be revealed after the end of each race.

To conclude, the safety of the drivers has also been studied. The Strategic Group is believed to have adopted the idea of a set that will protect the drivers’ heads in the event of a violent impact. Regarding its design, a combination of the halo-shaped protection ring and a fighter jet-like canopy seems to be the frontrunner. There is no doubt that all these measures taken will be widely commented on by the Formula 1 world…

“The ‘Halo’ concept [is] currently the preferred option. Other options will continue to be evaluated.” – @FIA. #F1 pic.twitter.com/9byKusgTHY— Mobil 1 The Grid (@grid1tv) 24 Février /f1/actualite/20725-des-qualifications-encore-plus-compliquees-a-suivre-.html