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F1 winter testing report: Bottas fastest on the final day in Barcelona

F1 winter testing report: Bottas fastest on the final day in Barcelona

28-02-2020 16:59
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Valtteri Bottas topped the timesheets on the final day of pre-season testing at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona. Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo completed the top three on Friday.

Bottas' time of 1:16.196 saw him top the timesheets on Friday, repeating his feat from week one. The Finn managed to safely navigate the afternoon session after Lewis Hamilton was in the cockpit in the morning.

Max Verstappen secured a late fast lap to breathe some life into the session as he recorded a 1:16.269 falling just short of the standard set by Bottas. Daniel Ricciardo finished the morning session on top beating out the likes of Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc and the impressive Racing Point to round out the top three. 

Both Renault's were very impressive, Esteban Ocon's P5 a hugely positive result for the team and it is no surprise they both set over 65 laps. 

In order, Carlos Sainz, George Russell, Daniil Kvyat, Romain Grosjean, Kimi Raikkonen, Kevin Magnussen and Alex Albon completed the standings during the final day of testing. Albon was unable to set a fast time as early on in the session the focused was shifted from one lap pace and he then spun and was unable to come back out.

What can we take from testing?

When the action returned the expectation was on Mercedes however, their engine questions have cast a slight shadow of doubt. Ferrari have approached testing differently so it is hard to tell where they are but there is definite places for encouragement and finally one of the dark horses, Racing point can be very pleased with their showing and they could be on course to challenge for best of the rest if testing is anything to go by.