Ferrari Faces Test Halted by Verstappen’s Red Flag and Rain
Ferrari’s return to the Formula 1 test in Barcelona faced interruptions due to a red flag and subsequent rain. The test began Tuesday morning, with a brief halt caused by Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s incident. Teams are participating in a five-day testing session, with activities starting as early as Monday.
Red Flag and Rain Disrupt Testing
Ferrari joined the session promptly at 9 AM, shortly after the pit lane opened. Verstappen, who was testing the new RB22 car, caused a red flag when he veered into the gravel at Turn 5. Although he managed to return to the track, the session was paused for over five minutes.
Weather Impact on Teams
Another challenge emerged when light rain developed into heavier showers, affecting track conditions about an hour and a half into the test. Despite this, Ferrari and Red Bull continued to navigate the damp course later in the morning. Charles Leclerc drove for Ferrari before Lewis Hamilton took over in the afternoon.
Limited Participation from Other Teams
- Only a few teams were present on Tuesday.
- McLaren opted to delay its participation until Wednesday.
- The MCL40 made its debut shakedown after prior advanced simulations in Austria.
Other teams, including Mercedes, Audi, Alpine, Cadillac, and Haas, decided to miss the Tuesday session. Various reasons influenced their absence, such as anticipated rain and technical issues faced on Monday.
Strategic Decisions Amidst Weather Concerns
Mercedes’ trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin highlighted the need for teams to monitor weather forecasts closely. He noted that some teams were eager to begin driving but had to consider tire availability and upcoming weather conditions. Running in wet conditions could prove beneficial, but teams risk running out of intermediate tires.
The second day of testing in Barcelona showcased the unpredictability of weather and its impact on F1 teams as they prepare for the upcoming season.
