Barcelona Test No. 2: Day 1 Recap

Overview

Date: Tuesday, March 1
Location: Circuit de Barcelona – Catalunya    
Layout: 4.655-kilometer (2.89-mile), 16-turn circuit
Driver: Esteban Gutiérrez
Laps Completed: 23
Distance Completed: 107.065 kilometers (66.53 miles)
Best Lap Time: 1:26.661
Fastest Lap: 1:23.022 by Nico Rosberg (Mercedes)
Most Laps: 144 by Max Verstappen (Toro Rosso)

Rundown

Esteban Gutiérrez was held to just 23 laps in preseason testing Tuesday at Circuit de Barcelona – Catalunya due to a fuel system issue.

Gutiérrez recorded a best lap of 1:26.661 during his third run of the morning session, set on the Pirelli P Zero White medium tire, the favored compound for the majority of the morning’s participants.

The VF-16 sat out the afternoon session as the team worked to rectify the problem with its fuel system.

Esteban Gutiérrez, Driver No. 21, Haas F1 Team

“It wasn’t an ideal day as we had some technical issues which we’re still investigating. We wanted to do a lot of running and had setup work planned. However, we’re working on our solutions and focusing on the next few days so we can get our program completed. Tomorrow is another day. The team is working hard to solve the issues and I’m confident we will. Hopefully, we can have a smoother day tomorrow.”

Guenther Steiner, Team Principal, Haas F1 Team

“Unfortunately in the morning we experienced some problems with the fuel system. We tried to fix it but we were unable to and had to stop running just before the lunch break. We will not be able to run again until tomorrow, so a little bit of a setback. But what makes you suffer makes you stronger. We take a step back, but we hope to make two forward tomorrow.”

Next Up

Gutiérrez completes his stint behind the wheel of VF-16 Wednesday with teammate Romain Grosjean taking over for the remainder of the test, which lasts through Friday.

After testing, teams prepare for Round 1 of the 2016 FIA Formula One World Championship – the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne. Practice begins March 18, qualifying takes place March 19 and the race runs March 20.