Felipe Massa with Williams was fastest on the first day of the second pre-season Formula 1 test at the Catalunya circuit.
Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull) and Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) were second and third in the standings.
#F1 @MassaFelipe19 ends the first day of the second week of #F1Testing at @Circuitcat_eng on top for @WilliamsRacing! pic.twitter.com/KvBQWx1g69
— FIA (@fia) 7 March 2017
Meanwhile Mclaren-Honda had another very difficult day
Stoffel Vandoorne’s car had another power unit failure. Racing director Eric Boullier admitted that the relations with Honda are strained right now because of all the problems.
“Obviously we are in Formula One, we are racing, and we have to perform so the pressure is obviously huge. We put the maximum pressure on our relationship with Honda and the same from them. We can’t have a foot a step wrong, we have to deliver the best car as well so this is both sides”, Boullier said.
He also explained that there is no possibility for a split with Honda: “We have a contract in place. We don’t even think about it. There is a solid contract between us, a long-term contract. And obviously we want ot build on it, even if it’s not the best or ideal times yet.”
Honda has at Catalunya the same engines as last week’s spec. Asked when the new one will arrive, Boullier answered: “Ask Honda.”
Retired? No way! @MassaFelipe19 is in shape! Best time of the day… and second best time overall! Amazing! #F1Testing pic.twitter.com/4sYZfUJnaG
— Circuit BCN-CAT (@Circuitcat_eng) 7 March 2017
Um dia muito bom para nós da @WilliamsRacing … 168 voltas hoje, nada mal para um ex aposentado… ?
— Felipe Massa (@MassaFelipe19) 7 March 2017
Lewis Hamilton lost time in the morning. The reason was damaged floor on his Mercedes. 13 drivers managed to take part in the test – both Mercedes, Renault and Sauber competitors among them. Pascal Wehrlein returned to the circuit after a medical check cleared him for testing.
