The fourth day of the Barcelona Shakedown has concluded, leaving Friday as the last chance for teams to finalize their schedules. While some teams finished their runs on Thursday, F1.com provides a recap of the day’s events.
Which teams and drivers participated?
Day 4 began with chilly and overcast weather, yet several drivers, including Sergio Perez, Kimi Antonelli, Liam Lawson, and Lewis Hamilton, quickly took to the track for Cadillac, Mercedes, Racing Bulls, and Ferrari.
As the morning progressed, Oscar Piastri joined the action for McLaren, marking his first appearance this shakedown after previously being behind the wheel on Wednesday. By lunchtime, Antonelli and Hamilton had achieved notable mileage, while Aston Martin had not yet begun their runs.
In the afternoon, Charles Leclerc took the wheel of Ferrari, followed by George Russell for Mercedes, Arvid Lindblad for Racing Bulls, and more laps from Perez for Cadillac. Aston Martin made their debut with Lance Stroll on track.
What teams have yet to run?
All teams, except Williams, have participated in the Barcelona Shakedown, with Williams announcing updates on their testing plans. Each team is limited to three days of testing out of the five-day event, and both Mercedes and Racing Bulls completed their runs by Thursday.
Feedback from the drivers
Having wrapped up their sessions, Antonelli expressed satisfaction with the significant number of laps completed and took the opportunity to learn about the new car. He noted, “It was a pretty good shakedown, and I’m looking forward to Bahrain.” Russell also shared his positive feelings regarding the shakedown, emphasizing the mileage gathered and the car’s performance.
Lawson from Racing Bulls noted ongoing learning and progress, while Leclerc highlighted the challenges and opportunities presented by the new car at Ferrari. “The checklist remains extensive,” he said, indicating more tests to complete. Piastri from McLaren reflected on overcoming initial issues and the various new challenges ahead.
Looking ahead
As the Barcelona Shakedown enters its final day, eight teams still have the option to take to the track. Following this shakedown, the next testing opportunity will be at the Bahrain International Circuit from February 11-13, with a second test scheduled for February 18-20.
