2023 F1 Testing: Sainz remains on top as Albon takes third fastest time
23rd February 2023Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz remained on top in the second hour of testing, on the first day, ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen as Williams’ Alexander Albon rounded out top three.
Despite causing an earlier red flag, by stopping out on track, Aston Martin’s Felipe Drugovich – who replaced Lance Stroll after a training accident – was found back on track. However, the Brazilian hadn’t set a lap time on the board before he returned back to the team garage.
However, it was soon reported the Aston Martin team were dealing with electronic issues which has hindered Drugovich’s running.
After the first hour, only Drugovich, Albon and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri were yet to set a lap time on the board.
As the session dropped under the three hour mark, Albon jumped to the top of the timing sheets with the fastest lap time on the board (1:33.671) on the red-written prototype tyre, 0.096 seconds faster than Sainz.
However, 15 minutes later, as teams started to swap over from aero rakes to flow-vis paint the drivers were able to improve their lap times. Verstappen returned to his usual spot at the top of the timing board, on the yellow-written tyre, but the Dutchman was soon beaten by Sainz who obtained the fastest lap with a 1:33.253 – 0.340 seconds faster.
Unlike the first hour, the session managed to go through a full hour without any interruptions.
That’s all for the article; 2023 F1 Testing: Sainz remains on top as Albon takes third fastest time!
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