Gallery: Halo, goodbye and McLaren break down

Editor

Formula 1 said farewell to pre-season testing and the Circuit de Catalunya on Friday, wrapping up the eighth and last day before heading to Melbourne.

The sun was out but it was still a chilly start to the final day of testing.

The Ferrari team boss was on hand to watch…

Romain Grosjean ventured out the pits in the Haas to lead the timesheets after the opening hour.

First run of the morning completed and Fernando Alonso is pushed back into the garage – a standard push, not a breakdown push!

But then the breakdown came with Alonso stopping at Turn 7 with a suspected leak.

Kimi Raikkonen replaced Sebastian Vettel for the final day of testing with the Finn having recovered from the illness that kept him out of the car briefly on Wednesday. He took over from Grosjean at the top of the timesheets.

The day’s second red belonged to Charles Leclerc and the Turn 11 barriers.

Down the pitlane goes Esteban Ocon as the Frenchman heads out for another run in his VJM11. Still no word on a possible new name – or new owner – for the team.

A gearbox problem kept Carlos Sainz in the Renault garage for much of the morning’s session.

Kimi Raikkonen posted a 1:17.221 in the hour before the non-lunch break to extend his lead at the top of the timesheets for Friday – and set the second fastest time of the entire test. Sebastian Vettel holds the record for the fastest, a 1:17.3.

https://twitter.com/autosport/status/972074293109682176

Lewis Hamilton said farewell to testing.

Carlos Sainz’s frustrations continued as he remained in the Renault garage due to an early gearbox issue.

Brendon Hartley showed solid pace in the Toro Rosso as he held down third place.

Valtteri Bottas replaced Hamilton for the afternoon session as the Finn covered the final miles for Mercedes.

It was, however, Raikkonen’s earlier 1:17.2 that stood as the time to beat.

More to follow…

Testing