Spanish GP 2022
On Friday in Barcelona the main focus was testing the large upgrade packages. However, not everything went according to plan in the two training sessions. We show the highlights of the day in the picture gallery.
The Formula 1 development race has picked up a notable gear in Barcelona. Almost all teams traveled to Spain with extensive upgrade packages. The tension among the engineers was correspondingly high before the first test laps on Friday.
At Aston Martin, a particularly large number of photographers were waiting in front of the garage at the start of the first session to shoot the B version of the AMR22. During the scrutineering on Friday, the green car briefly dared to come out of cover, causing a great stir. Many in the paddock wondered how it was possible for the Aston to look so much like the Red Bull.
Sebastian Vettel had always toyed with the idea of moving to Red Bull in recent years. Now he can drive at least half a Red Bull. And things progressed promptly on the track. From a standing start, the man from Heppenheim turned the eighth fastest lap. If drivers and technicians understand the new concept even more, the season could still be saved.
Problems with McLaren and Alfa Romeo
McLaren had also put together a big package for Barcelona. But not much went together here on Friday. Actually, Lando Norris should collect data with the new parts. But in the second session, the Brit first slogged through the gravel and then over the curbs, causing the facelifted underbody to break. Due to a lack of spare parts, the youngster had to call it a day after just six laps.
The third team that launched a major expansion stage in Barcelona was Alfa Romeo. Here Valtteri Bottas should complete the bulk of the data collection. But in the second session, the Ferrari engine in the rear of the Finn decided to give up early. Bottas rolled out after only three laps at the end of the home straight and had to do without further test kilometers.
In the gallery we have compiled the highlights of the training Friday in Barcelona for you.
