Third day of second F1 test
5 live F1 season preview tonight 20:30 GMT
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Trouble-free day for McLaren
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Image source, .Rachel T: Gary, thanks for wishing my son happy birthday yesterday - we have some birthday cake if you're interested?
Between this and the Iberian ham, I've been spoiled for offers today!
I should complain about having no lunch more often.
Lewis Hamilton pits after completing 11 laps on the mediums.
Lance Stroll and Carlos Sainz, replacing Robert Kubica and Nico Hulkenberg respectively this afternoon, are currently out on the circuit.
BBC Radio 5 live
It's international women's day and Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has been speaking to BBC Radio 5 live's Jennie Gow about whether he believes we will see a female driver compete in the F1 championship in the near future.
"I believe absolutely this can happen," he said. "There is no reason why a female driver cannot be successful in Formula 1.
"I would hope that within our generation we will be seeing women win races and maybe winning a world championship.
"It will be great for our sport."
Listen to full interview with Toto Wolff on BBC Radio 5 live tonight from 20:30 GMT.
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Stuie Neale: I’m refuelled too let afternoon begin
Bob McFeil: How was your official lunch break Gary? Here’s to hoping no McLaren breakdown later...
Very good thanks, Stuie. The ham that Alex attempted to deliver looked very tempting but the sandwich I had did the job!
Andrew Benson
BBC Sport’s chief F1 writer
Renault says the front wing was a step forward and stays on the car. More running planned to fully optimise.
Steady start for Lewis Hamilton as he posts a 1:20.673 on mediums. He knocks a tenth off that time with his next lap.
Meanwhile, back in the UK, Prince Harry visited Silverstone yesterday and had a close-up look at the Mercedes.
Image source, Getty ImagesLewis Hamilton takes over from Valtteri Bottas this afternoon and he heads onto the track for the first time today.
Image source, Getty ImagesStoffel Vandoorne remains the only man on the track as he puts in a few laps on the ultrasofts. No improvements yet on the time he set early in the morning.
The afternoon session is under way.
Stoffel Vandoorne isn't wasting any time. Straight out in the McLaren.
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BBC Radio 5 live
You know the season is about to start when Formula 1 is on the radio!
Tune in tonight at 20:30 GMT to listen to the BBC Radio 5 live season preview.
Jennie Gow and guests Andrew Benson and Jolyon Palmer take a look at the year ahead and we'll also hear from Christian Horner.
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Cameron Lightwood UK: It's good to see that Vandoorne got out again before lunchtime so let's hope he has a trouble free afternoon today in testing
Kayleigh: Enjoy your lunch, Gary!
Thanks Kayleigh, I managed to track down a sandwich and now have coffee and cake. Consider me good to go for the afternoon session!
Andrew Benson
BBC Sport’s chief F1 writer
Image source, Getty ImagesAs pre-season testing has progressed, there have been fewer and fewer questions for drivers about the halo head-protection device as people have become used to it.
All have been saying similar things - yes, it doesn’t look great, and it makes it a bit more awkward to get in and out of the car, but it is there for safety. Haas driver Romain Grosjean personifies the conflict inherent in the halo, in that he has said he personally does not like it, but as one of the three directors of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, he has been pushing for additional frontal protection, as it is known.
He says: “It's sad that we don't get to see the driver so much any more. That's something that's changed. As a driver you need to get used to it this year. We need to live with it.
"Driving is not a problem on your own. Let's see what it's about in the middle of the race with other drivers. But, yes, between Vandoorne and Alonso it's very difficult to know which one is in the car. I don't know, maybe, yeah, an idea to come up with a Halo design to a helmet colour or whatever. We just need to see if it's visible or not.”
Dan Knutson
F1 journalist in Barcelona
Image source, .Lance Stroll chatted with the media before heading out in the Williams FW41 this afternoon. He now has had a year of racing in F1, while his new teammate Sergey Sirotkin is a rookie. Reserve driver Robert Kubica has plenty of F1 racing experience, but not in the current cars.
Stroll was asked if he is ready to lead the team this season.
“Lead the team is the wrong word,” he said. “For sure I have a year under my belt compared to Sergey. But at the same time, we are all in it together. There is no a lead driver, and a second driver; it is one team. We just want to get the most out of the package.”
Stroll noted that the Williams has improved quite a bit compared to last year’s car.
“But conditions are not ideal,” he added. “Tyre warmup is different here in Barcelona compared to other tracks and other weekends with normal conditions. But the car so far feels pretty good, and now it is about waiting until we get to Australia and we will know where we are compared to the others.”
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That is quite a stunning time by Sebastian Vettel.
Valtteri Bottas finished way down the timesheet but enjoyed 97 trouble free laps.
Lewis Hamilton is in the car this afternoon. It may not be what testing is about but will he have a crack at taking top spot?
Image source, F1.comVettel, Hulkenberg, Gasly, Vandoorne, Ericsson, Perez - hypersoft
Magnussen, Kubica - supersoft
Verstappen - soft
Bottas - medium
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I would LOVE to know how this conversation went!
Alex, I tip my hat to you.
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Lunch! We do indeed have an official lunch break just as Pierre Gasly powers into P2 with a 1:17.805.
Hang on, that time has now disappeared from the timing board. Looks like he exceeded track limits on that lap.
Good news, all OK at McLaren as Stoffel Vandoorne heads back out just before lunch.
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