Leclerc remains the reference, Gasly injured in Barcelona

We don't stop anymore Charles Leclerc (Ferrari). The Monegasque finishes the seventh day of winter testing Formula 1 from Barcelona (Spain) with the best time combined witha record for 2019 tests. 

This morning's star attraction – @Charles_Leclerc #F1Testing #F1 pic.twitter.com/yZJ5MaFxkg

- Formula 1 (@ F1) 28th February 2019

The Scuderia's new recruit posted the best performance in the peloton for the second time in two weeks, this time in 1'16''231. This places it less than a tenth of the time of pole position achieved in May 2018 by Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes, 1’16”173). At the time, the Englishman used super soft tires, just like Charles Leclerc this Thursday (C5 designation).

The former Sauber driver unfortunately ended his day on the side of the Catalan tarmac due to a mechanical damage. A few dozen minutes ago, Lance stroll (Racing Point) suffered an identical fate. 

The session was marked by the violent accident of Pierre Gasly (Red Bull, 4th with a time of 1’17”091). The Frenchman lost control of his car in turn 9, a curve negotiated at high speed. The damage, particularly to the rear part of the car, caused the end of its tests in the middle of the afternoon. Passed by the circuit medical center for a routine check-up, Pierre Gasly has no injuries. 

FOTOS: The accident @PierreGASLY. Photos cedidas por @markoartistf1, in the rapid curve 9 at this moment. https://t.co/v3vC6oqN4b Pronto, the sequence completes. Pierre's accidental segment is premature. pic.twitter.com/CN8g1TAdT5

— Cristóbal Rosaleny (@crosaleny) 28th February 2019

The second French lined up this Thursday, Romain Grosjean, waited two hours before leaving the garage Haas. The mechanics had indeed detected a problem with the exhaust. He nevertheless set the ninth time at the very end of the day in 1’17”854. 

Earlier in the morning, the rookies Alex Albon (Toro Rosso) and Lando Norris (McLaren) engaged in a duel for the runners-up, before giving in to the Ferrari. In the clan Renault, Nico Hulkenberg (6th) then Daniel Ricciardo (5th) were discreet and favored long runs.

The most reserved team remains Mercedes, who did no better than a 10th and a 13th time, respectively the work of Lewis Hamilton et Valtteri Bottas. The English team clearly did not attack more than necessary, so there is no need to panic in the ranks of the outgoing champions. 

F1 Ranking 2019 Testing Day 7 Barcelona:

Meet at 9 a.m. on AUTOhebdo.fr to follow the final winter testing session on Friday March 1 with our live text.