Barcelona (dpa) - Ferrari star Sebastian Vettel has started the Formula 1 tests with a day delay. After an unplanned break due to malaise, the four-time world champion replaced his stable rival Charles Leclerc at the wheel of the SF1000.
Vettel posted the sixth fastest time on the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya (+1.063 seconds) and completed 73 laps. The best time was secured on the second day of testing by Vettel's former Scuderia team-mate Kimi Raikkonen. The Finn was unbeatable in the Alfa Romeo with 1: 17.091 minutes.
At the end of the first tests, Vettel is scheduled for the entire Friday behind the wheel. The second test drives in Barcelona will take place from February 26th to 28th. In contrast to previous years, the Formula 1 teams had only six instead of eight practice days before the first Grand Prix of the year. Vettel & Co. will contest the opening race on March 15 in Melbourne.
The industry leader caused a sensation. In the morning, defending champion Lewis Hamilton used the so-called DAS (Dual Axis Steering) on his Mercedes for the first time, i.e. a dual-axis control. A board camera showed the Brit pulling the steering wheel on a straight line and then pushing it away just before the curve. The front wheels turned slightly inwards. This toe-in adjustment is apparently intended to help regulate the temperature of the tires.
Mercedes technology director James Allison said that the DAS brings an "additional dimension of control" in the steering device. According to the Englishman, the system should be compliant.
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