The second day of Formula 1 preseason testing at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona was marked by a quieter atmosphere, as only the Ferrari and Red Bull Racing teams took to the track on March 5, 2024. With inclement weather forecasted, several teams opted to sit out the day, including reigning champions McLaren, who are scheduled to return to the track on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, Max Verstappen of Red Bull and Charles Leclerc of Ferrari commenced the morning session. They later handed over to their respective teammates, Lewis Hamilton and Sergio Pérez, in the afternoon. The session was characterized by the use of intermediate wet tyres, reflecting the damp conditions that persisted throughout the day.
In a brief moment of drama, Verstappen triggered a red flag when he went off track during the morning, though his car sustained no damage and the incident did not disrupt the team’s testing plans. This marked Red Bull’s second consecutive day of testing, while it was the first outing for Ferrari’s new SF-26 car this week, following a short public appearance at the team’s Fiorano circuit last Friday.
Leclerc expressed optimism about the potential of the new car. Speaking to F1 TV after his stint, he stated, “I’m very excited to see what the others have in store and when we start pushing a little bit more, see where we are compared to the others. I hope we are the team that will manage to make the difference.”
Despite not participating on Tuesday, Mercedes remains a strong contender for the upcoming season, with analysts considering them early favorites ahead of the Australian Grand Prix scheduled for March 8, 2024.
Ferrari’s commitment to reclaiming their position at the top of the sport has been evident throughout the testing. Leclerc’s comments indicate a renewed determination within the team, aiming to leverage the opportunities presented by the new regulations.
As the preseason testing continues, teams will be keen to assess their performance relative to one another, setting the stage for an exciting start to the Formula 1 season. The next few days will be critical for teams to finalize their setups and strategies before the first race in Melbourne.
