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  Formula One: Sebastian Vettel quickest in Barcelona testing opener

Formula One: Sebastian Vettel quickest in Barcelona testing opener

AGENCIES
Published : Feb 23, 2016, 12:45 am IST
Updated : Feb 23, 2016, 12:45 am IST

Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo on the first test day of the Grand Prix season (Photo: AFP)

Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo on the first test day of the Grand Prix season (Photo: AFP)

Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel outgunned reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton to the fastest time as the 2016 Formula One season got under way with the first test in Barcelona on Monday.

The Italian giants are expected to pose an even stronger challenge to Hamilton’s Mercedes this season after Vettel showed signs of a Ferrari revival by winning three races last season.

The four-time world champion was nearly half a second faster than Hamilton in a time of 1min 24.939sec.

However, after dominating the sport for the past two seasons, Mercedes’ reliability sent another warning shot to the rest of the paddock as Hamilton ran the most mileage with 66 laps before lunch.

Williams were again the best of the rest as Valtteri Bottas was third fastest.

Mclaren-Honda made a significant improvement on their disastrous performances in testing last season which set up a hugely disappoining return season to the sport for the Japanese manufacturer.

Jenson Button managed 35 laps, but the MP4-31 was still well down on pace nearly three seconds behind Vettel in sixth fastest.

Haas took their first tentative steps as Romain Grosjean logged 13 laps, but his session was ended prematurely by a broken front wing that temporarily stopped his running.

Manor Racing were the only team to struggle mightily.

‘Brexit will not affect F1’ Formula One would be unaffected by any British exit from the European Union, the sport’s commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone said in an interview in which he supported those seeking to leave.

Eight of the 11 teams have factories in England, with Renault having their engine facility in France but the team headquarters in Prime Minister David Cameron’s Oxfordshire constituency.

Ferrari and Red Bull-owned Toro Rosso are based in Italy while Sauber are Swiss. “I’ve said before that I don’t much like democracy. Nothing gets done,” said the 85-year-old Briton whose F1 Management is based in central London.

“I do quite like David Cameron. He has done what he thinks is best for Britain in the EU negotiations.”

Location: Spain, Katalonia, Barcelona