30 minutes into the penultimate test day and 9 out of the 10 teams have laps and/or a time on the board. The one missing? Ferrari.
Visual highlight of the morning so far has to be the extra wide load aero rakes that Gasly has on the Red Bull:
ETA - And just as I press post, Leclercâs first installation lap pops onto the screen 
Did you see those ârakesâ that renault used?
https://www.racefans.net/2019/02/27/pictures-2019-f1-testing-day-six/motor-racing-formula-one-testing-test-two-day-2-barcelona-spain-441/
https://www.racefans.net/2019/02/27/pictures-2019-f1-testing-day-six/motor-racing-formula-one-testing-test-two-day-2-barcelona-spain-442/
That rig they had on the front wing yesterday?
Measuring flex and deflection of the front wing and force around the end-plates. First time Iâve seen the rig being used personally.
Interesting contraption.
Wowza, 18.0 on the C2 tyre for Hamilton! That would mean according to Pirelliâs estimate of .5-.6 tenths between compounds, that he would be well into the 1:16âs on the softer tyres.
From Autosport:
11:22 Ferrari has offered an update on Vettelâs crash yesterday afternoon, which it says was caused by a rim issue. It reckons the rim was damaged âa few seconds before by an impact with a foreign objectâ.
Called it!
Once the track warms up a bit and those C5âs come out, itâll happen.
Okay, thatâs a bit scary if thatâs what happened. Guess they wish F1 had full camera coverage at the circuit, even if it wasnât for broadcast.
It took most of the day yesterday to get just 2 times in the 1:17s range. After just 2 hours this morning we already have 3 (and very almost a 4th from Hamilton on the C2). Hulkâs time was on the softest C5 compound, the other two on C3 mediums. Odds on a 1:16 by lunchtime?
It does look as though the teams are starting to push harder; at some point, you need to know what the car is capable of, and also how specific tyre compounds react when you drive them hard. Interesting times ahead! (Pun intended)
Ohhh, so closeâŚ
And the social media made my day again
And there it is! Top 7 are all into the 17âs, with Albon in the Toro Rosso doing the first 1:16 on the C5 compound.
Speaking of ominous pace though⌠A 17.2 on the second-hardest tyre!
12:57 Leclerc is at a bit of a contrast to the others and is on the harder C2 tyre.
12:58 Leclerc first flying lap is enough for him to find time. He shoots to third with a 1m17.253s lap as Gasly pits.
For reference, that time wouldâve put Albon 7th on the grid at last yearâs Spanish GP⌠the Torro Rosso man going just under 2 seconds faster than last yearâs qualifying rounds.
For more reference, and other interesting bits about last year vs this yearâs speedâŚ
Williams at the moment, according the Russelâs time of today, is a second quicker than their pace last year at full tilt. McLaren is also already a second faster than last yearâs qualifying time. Sauber/Alfa also is well over a second faster than last year.
ConclusionâŚthis yearâs cars are damn quick
Like Lewis on the C2 earlier as well. And now on the C4 Leclercâs the second into 1:16
Iâm hoping for a team to do a mic drop 1:14 at the end of the very last testing session
