Formula 1

F1 SPANISH GP 2020 PRACTICE 1 BOTTAS LEADS

Published

3 years ago

14/08/2020

F1 SPANISH GP 2020 PRACTICE 1 BOTTAS LEADS

Mercedes topped the opening session of the Spanish Grand Prix with Valtteri Bottas finishing FP1 with the fastest time of 1.16.785 around the Circuit de Catalunya. Lewis Hamilton was only 0.039 behind with the German team showing that last weekend’s race was just a blip on what has otherwise been a near-perfect season.

F1 Spanish GP 2020 practice 1 – or the most part, it was a quiet session and things certainly started off that way. Many drivers went out with aero rakes and clocked up some good lap times but were not focused on single-lap speed.

First free practice – Spain

Pos.	Driver	Team	Time
1	Valtteri BOTTAS	Mercedes	1: 16,785
2	Lewis HAMILTON	Mercedes	1: 16,824
3	Max VERSTAPPEN	Red Bull	1: 17.724
4	Charles LECLERC	Ferrari	1: 17,970
5	Sebastian VETTEL	Ferrari	1: 17,981
6	Romain GROSJEAN	Haas	1: 18.291
7	Sergio PÉREZ	Racing Point	1: 18.471
8	Alexander ALBON	Red Bull	1: 18.606
9	Kevin MAGNUSSEN	Haas	1: 18,620
10	Lance STROLL	Racing Point	1: 18,643
11	Carlos SAINZ	McLaren	1: 18.733
12	Esteban OCON	Renault	1: 18.736
13	Lando NORRIS	McLaren	1: 18,744
14	Pierre GASLY	Alpha Tauri	1: 18,888
15	Antonio GIOVINAZZI	Alfa Romeo	1: 18.917
16	Kimi RÄIKKÖNEN	Alfa Romeo	1: 18,981
17	Daniil KVYAT	Alpha Tauri	1: 19.145
18	Daniel RICCIARDO	Renault	1: 19.230
19	Nicholas LATIFI	Williams	1: 20.334
20	Roy NISSANY	Williams	1: 20.664

One of the first drivers to enter the track in Barcelona was Roy Nissany, who was the test driver for Williams, standing in for George Russell. He doesn’t have a lot of experience driving a Formula 1 car and it was clear to see after he spun, leaving the track. Apart from that he had a solid session and put some good laps in for the team.

Charles Leclerc had a series of rakes on the rear of his Ferrari and it seems that the Italian team has added more downforce compared to Silverstone last weekend. Vettel has a new chassis this weekend and it seems to have worked as the German was much closer to his teammate compared to what the gap has been since the start of the season.

Sergio Perez made his return to Formula 1 after two weeks out due to a positive COVID test. He has now tested negative and was back in the car this morning for Racing Point. He put in some good laps and will be hoping he can kick on after his time away and fight for some good points come the race on Sunday.

A striking moment in the session took place with just over half an hour on the clock. Both Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen appeared in the top five in terms of times. Pretty fast too, but still more than a second and a half behind Bottas who had set a time of 1:16.785. Haas will have taken a photo of the timesheet but perhaps this shows how FP1 times aren’t very representative of true speed.

Mercedes

Bottas spent much of the session at the top of the timesheet after setting a 1.16.785. Hamilton was only 0.039 behind and it was clear to see that Mercedes are in a league of their own again with Max Verstappen being 0.939 behind Bottas’ time.

F1 SPANISH GP 2020 PRACTICE 1 BOTTAS LEADS F1 SPANISH GP 2020 PRACTICE 1 BOTTAS LEADS

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