The third day of the pre-season test for the 2020 campaign saw the Mercedes pair rise to the top
The third and final day of the 1st 2020 pre-season test concluded with the Mercedes pair staying on top of the pile.
Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas were supreme in the Silver Arrows but it was the Finn who posted the fastest time of the day.
Bottas 1:15.732 was a full seven-tenths quicker than rival Hamilton, and he achieved that time on the softest compound.
Hamilton also had some engine trouble with some smoke coming out but he too was seven-tenths quicker than the third fastest driver, Esteban Ocon.
The Frenchman impressed in his Renault as the other drivers continued testing their machines.
Trouble for the challengers
There was a lot said about Ferrari and how they would challenge Mercedes for the world title. However, that has evaporated in recent days as the Prancing Horse has struggled.
Three days down, only three to go..
Catch up with highlights of the final day of the first pre-season test in Barcelona#F1 #F1Testing pic.twitter.com/mgwQvagKNT
— Formula 1 (@F1) February 21, 2020
Sebastian Vettel clocked up 100 laps on day three but finished 13th in the timing sheet. His Ferrari also came to a grinding halt during the end of the day, and his engine also had to be changed.
Mattia Binotto has claimed that Ferrari aren’t as quick as Red Bull and Mercedes, which isn’t a good sign for their 2020 title hopes.
Red Bull have done well but they seem to be testing their race pace too. Max Verstappen and Alex Albon were both on track but finished the session in eighth and tenth places, respectively.
F1 pre-season testing, results and timings
There were some other major surprises in the timing sheets on the third day. Lance Stroll continued the good work of Racing Point as he finished fourth ahead of Daniil Kvyat and his AlphaTauri.
Racing Point have based their car on Mercedes’ 2019 model, and it seems to be working a great deal.
Sergio Perez had impressed previously, and the Canadian Stroll put up some strong numbers with 116 laps under his belt.
The Alfa Romeo of Antonio Giovinazzi was sixth behind Kvyat while Daniel Ricciardo finished seventh in his Renault.
🏁 All done for the day, and the week!#F1Testing pic.twitter.com/uMHfQBiBTf
— Formula 1 (@F1) February 21, 2020
Pierre Gasly, in the other AlphaTauri, rounded off other position in the top 10 while the McLarens of Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris were 11th and 14th, respectively.
Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen struggled in their Haas cars while Nicholas Latifi finished 15th with 72 laps for his Williams.
This was the end of the first testing set and there are three more days left for racers to learn about their vehicles.
The F1 pre-season testing stream is available on F1 TV and the Formula One website while updates are consistently shared on their social media handles.
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