F1 News
Alonso: "Ferrari seems to be the fastest"
- GPblog.com
The first three F1 test days logically raised many questions. One of the main questions is, who is the fastest. Although there is little to say about it yet, both Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso think that Ferrari should be taken into account this year.
During the test days, one always looks at the fastest lap times and at the number of times each driver crosses the start/finish line. In the end, there is little to say about the real proportions between the drivers and the teams, but if Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton both notice the same thing, then it is something to take into account. The two old hands on the grid, who together account for nine world titles, say they are taking into account an ironclad Ferrari this year.
Alonso and Hamilton warn of Ferrari
Hamilton has already expressed his deep concern about the developments at Ferrari. Alonso seems to be completely on board with that. Marca.com quotes the Spaniard: "Ferrari seems to be fastest. That's very surprising. For Carlos [Sainz] it's good news and for Spain in general. Mercedes, in addition, also seems very fast." The Alpine driver seems especially concerned with the viewing pleasure of his compatriots. If Mercedes and Ferrari are indeed that fast, there is little for him to gain with Alpine this season.
Ferrari drove the most miles in Barcelona with a total of 439 laps. Carlos Sainz accounted for 236 laps and teammate Charles Leclerc came in at 203. Both drivers were strong on the C3 tire; the hardest compound used these days. Leclerc was the fastest on that tire with a 1:19:689. Max Verstappen closed in on that tire by a tenth. Sainz recorded the third time on the C3 with a 1:20:072. Should Hamilton and Alonso be right, Ferrari will be back on track and the Italian team will be able to compete again with Red Bull Racing and Mercedes.