United Kingdom – Free Practice 1: Bottas leads the way at the start of the weekend
During a session that took place in almost Olympian calm, without any real incident, Valtteri Bottas recorded the fastest time, 78 thousandths ahead of Lewis Hamilton. The low temperatures and a track still lacking grip affected Ferrari and Force India, which showed reduced performance compared to usual.
Perhaps it is difficult for French viewers to make a choice this morning: flip to the main channels to watch the traditional July 14th parade or experience the thrill of F1 and follow the first session at Silverstone.
On the agenda this morning, the first tests of the protective cell called “Shield” by us. Ferrari already showcased Vettel’s SF70H with the installed canopy yesterday.
#FP1 is Go! #BritishGP #ForzaFerrari pic.twitter.com/d8f413QTrM
— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) 14 juillet 2017
Unlike the Austrian heat that had hindered the proper functioning of the tires, the 15°C air effectively cools the atmosphere and the paddock.
To get the best feel on the track, Vettel goes out first to test the shield, followed by Räikkönen who overtakes him before Copse. Meanwhile, Red Bull equips Ricciardo’s car with sensors and probes for his installation lap; the Austrian team is working on the front part of the car, continuing from Austria where Red Bull had painted the side pylons of Verstappen’s RB13 nose to analyze the airflow.
At Haas, Giovinazzi replaces Magnussen for these first tests, while at Force India, it’s Ocon who handles the on-track test of the new front wing. Calmness returns after the installation laps completed during the first 10 minutes.
As the session approaches the 20-minute mark, the sound of a V6 echoes, Kimi Räikkönen returns to the track, followed by Wehrlein, Verstappen, Massa, and Pérez. The first mark of the weekend is 1’32″533 credited to the Finn, Verstappen briefly takes this top mark but Räikkönen flexes his muscles and drops to 1’32″305, four tenths ahead of the Dutchman.
A little wide in Copse, Massa rides the curb and tears off elements of the “barge board,” which is the carbon plate under the single-seater that extends along the sides in front of the side air intakes.
💥 Sparks fly as @MassaFelipe19 loses bodywork around Turn 9 #BritishGP 🇬🇧 #F1 pic.twitter.com/UA5dTFonD4
— Formula 1 (@F1) 14 juillet 2017
As Bottas recovers the best time with 1’30″788, Vettel loses the rear at Chapel but manages to control the slide to avoid ending up in the gravel beyond the runoff area. On the attack, Hamilton accumulates sector records and stakes his claim with a 1’30″442, but Bottas responds with a 1’29″876. With this time, the Finn enters the second of Hamilton’s pole time recorded last year.
The track still being green this morning is causing problems for the drivers who are seeing their tires degrade because it’s difficult to get them up to temperature and the grip isn’t fully there. Midway through the session, all drivers have set a time except Jolyon Palmer. The drivers are back in the pits while on the track flags are coming out to allow the marshals in sectors 2 and 3 to clean up debris left by Massa, among others.
Quick standings update: Bottas with the fastest time of 1:29.651, ahead of Hamilton, Verstappen, Ricciardo, and Räikkönen. Following them are Ocon, Alonso, Pérez, Kvyat, and Vettel within the top 10. Beyond that are Vandoorne, Sainz, Stroll, Massa, Hülkenberg, Ericsson, Grosjean, Giovinazzi, Wehrlein, and Palmer.
Jolyon Palmer finally takes to the track and records the 17th fastest time for his first test. -137 Bottas also returns to the track, drives the point home, and already beats last year’s record with a time of 1″29’106 by 137 thousandths.
Some drivers are experiencing problems, Wehrlein on the track is instructed by his engineer to return to the pits due to a gearbox temperature issue but quickly rejoins; Alonso’s MCL32 is still dismantled in its pit; Stroll’s Williams is also on stands, with engineers working on the significantly damaged floor.
The ranking at session time
FP1 PROVISIONAL CLASSIFICATION (60/90 MINS): @MercedesAMGF1 💪 #BritishGP 🇬🇧 #F1 pic.twitter.com/dhKKvRdBZg
— Formula 1 (@F1) 14 juillet 2017
As the minutes tick by, the drivers take turns on the track to improve their times, Ricciardo moves up to 4th, Massa enters the top 10, with Vandoorne and Alonso following the Brazilian. On a flying lap, Daniil Kvyat tackles Maggotts, Becketts, and Chapel, the legendary sequence bringing pleasure to the drivers who, like Kvyat, experience more than 4 lateral Gs in this section.
Once the flat floor was changed, Lance Stroll got back on track and improved his time, he is now 15th. A few moments later, he complains about a part in his cockpit hitting his left arm, and a return to the pit is scheduled. On a flying lap, Grosjean had a big scare at Copse with a rear that slightly slid out, pushing him beyond the curb.
As the session nears its end, almost the entire field hits the British asphalt with the intention of improving their times. In this game, Felipe Massa struggles to find a clear track and to prepare, while Kvyat does well and takes 7th place from Alonso by a tenth.
The complete standings of FP1:
FP1 PROVISIONAL CLASSIFICATION (90/90 MINS): @MercedesAMGF1 comfortably ahead #BritishGP 🇬🇧 #F1 pic.twitter.com/qDQBD9Ra9j
— Formula 1 (@F1) 14 juillet 2017
