F1 Barcelona testing: Vettel sets the pace

Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) was the fastest on the morning of the 5th day of winter testing in Barcelona (Spain). The four-time champion completed a lap in 1:16 with C841 tires, the softest compound in the Pirelli range.

Although the German covered almost 50 laps, he was one of the victims of turn 5. While the track was wet in the first hours of running, forcing the drivers to go out with intermediate tires, the dry conditions trapped several competitors.

Another spin at Turn 5

Vettel is the latest driver to go off after testing the limits #F1 #F1Testing pic.twitter.com/z5j5LFVCNm

— Formula 1 (@F1) February 27, 2020

Max Verstappen (Red Bull) and Antonio Giovinazzi (Alfa Romeo) also went into the gravel trap, the Italian ending his race against the wall of tires. The C39 driver was unable to return to the track and was therefore the least present with only 16 laps covered.

RED FLAG

Max Verstappen is beached in the gravel at Turn 5#F1 #F1Testing pic.twitter.com/WKZch0oDpS

- Formula 1 (@ F1) February 27, 2020

Lance stroll (Racing Point) was the closest to the reference of the morning with almost 3 tenths behind. Nicholas latifi (Williams) completed the top three in front Lando Norris (McLaren), Max Verstappen (Red Bull), Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes), Esteban Ocon (Renault), Kevin Magnussen (Haas), Antonio Giovinazzi (Alfa Romeo) and finally Pierre Gasly (Alpha Tauri).

No driver crossed the 50 lap mark after the first four hours of running due to the wet conditions of the morning and the various interruptions caused by track excursions.

Winter testing in Barcelona will continue from 14 p.m. to 18 p.m. The session will always be followed with our live text.