Barcelona Shakedown Day 3: Key Highlights Explored
Day 3 of the Barcelona Shakedown has concluded, marking a pivotal moment in this five-day event. Several teams made significant strides, while new drivers debuted their cars at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
Teams and Drivers in Action
The morning session started energetically with George Russell from Mercedes being the first to hit the track. He was quickly followed by rookie Arvid Lindblad of Racing Bulls, who was eager to gain his first experience at the shakedown. Other noteworthy appearances included Franco Colapinto for Alpine and Ollie Bearman for Haas, alongside Nico Hulkenberg behind the wheel of Audi.
During the day, Lando Norris, the new World Champion, also took to the track for McLaren, showcasing the #1 on his car. The opening session saw an impressive number of laps, particularly from Russell, Lindblad, and Colapinto.
Afternoon Activities
After a lunch respite, Kimi Antonelli replaced Russell in the afternoon session. Pierre Gasly began his testing for Alpine during this time. The continued activities unfolded under sunny conditions, culminating in a successful Day 3.
Teams Yet to Participate
Aston Martin has yet to commence testing but plans to begin on Thursday, alongside McLaren and other teams that have already utilized two days of their five-day schedule. As for Williams, they opted out of the shakedown, yet Team Principal James Vowles confirmed that their vehicle has passed all mandatory crash tests, preparing for pre-season testing starting February 11 in Bahrain.
Remaining Testing Days
- Red Bull – 1 day left
- Mercedes – 1 day left
- Racing Bulls – 1 day left
- Haas – 1 day left
- Alpine – 1 day left
- Audi – 1 day left
- Caddy and Ferrari – 2 days left
Drivers’ Insights from Day 3
Post-session, Russell reflected positively on the team’s performance, noting that they completed substantial laps and expressed eagerness for further qualifying-style runs, conditional on weather forecasts.
Antonelli found the experience rewarding, emphasizing the mileage they gained and the data collected. Lindblad echoed similar sentiments about his introductory day, pleased with the lack of issues during his test. He expressed gratitude to Red Bull for their support.
Norris shared his thoughts after getting behind the wheel of the McLaren MCL40, indicating a productive day of understanding the car and its operations. Despite the vehicle’s different characteristics, he felt a sense of accomplishment.
Other Driver Experiences
Bearman, following his stint in Fiorano, noted the importance of early stages in car regulation development, despite minor issues encountered. Gasly, who took over from Colapinto, commented on the distinctiveness of the new engine as Alpine transitions to Mercedes power units.
Hulkenberg, making his Audi debut, acknowledged a slower start but was pleased with the progress in the afternoon, indicating a positive atmosphere within the team ahead of their inaugural season.
Looking Ahead
Day 4 is scheduled for Thursday, where Aston Martin is set to debut among continuing activities from other teams. Weather conditions might influence the teams’ scheduling decisions as they strategize their remaining testing days.
