Ferrari had their first setback of 2019 as they were forced to sit out the majority of the second day of Formula 1's second pre-season test after Sebastian Vettel crashed into the barriers. On the track, Carlos Sainz set the fastest time of pre-season so far, indeed dipping below the best time seen last year, which was set by Vettel in the Ferrari.
Sainz bolted around the Circuit de Catalunya in one minute 17.144 seconds, on one of his 130 laps, perhaps putting to bed once and for all suggestions that 2019's cars will be much slower than last year's due to the new aerodynamic regulations.
Joy at McLaren at that rapid lap time will have been shared at most garages up and down the pitlane as running was fairly smooth on Wednesday, except at Ferrari.
Vettel brought out red flags when a mechanical failure at the front left of the SF90 left him powerless to prevent skidding into the barriers at decent speed at turn three.
The shunt was significant enough to see the German taken to the medical centre for a precautionary check-up and also caused enough damage to keep Ferrari off the circuit for almost the entirety of the rest of the day.
Charles Leclerc emerged for a solitary lap right at the end of the day.
Mercedes pounded the track as they continued to gather data on the revamped W10, Lewis Hamilton putting up 102 laps in just the afternoon session alone, with Valtteri Bottas having managed 74 in the morning.
Robert Kubica managed 130 laps in the Williams as their progress continues positively after last week's delay, following on from another triple-figure day for George Williams on Tuesday.
[Update from @ScuderiaFerrari] "Seb’s off was due to a mechanical problem. The car is now in the garage for all the needed checks. Right now it’s impossible to say about the afternoon session." https://t.co/WPMTRLqPkn#F1Testing
— Rob Watts (@robwattsf1) February 27, 2019
Classy touch by Claire Williams who thanked the media in her press call this afternoon for having patience with the @WilliamsRacing team, and even apologised for not being able to talk openly about the issues when they first became public knowledge last week. #F1Testingpic.twitter.com/QnsjNGKs52
— Rob Watts (@robwattsf1) February 27, 2019
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