Third day of F1 testing in Barcelona a washout

The track was red most of the day

Snow, rain and cold temperatures conspired to keep nearly all teams from logging any substantive laps in the third day of preseason testing Wednesday at Circuit de Barcelona – Catalunya. The 4.655-kilometer (2.892-mile), 16-turn track remained wet the entire day, with the runoff areas covered in snow and slush throughout the morning and early afternoon.

Just five drivers braved the elements and ventured onto the track, with only McLaren’s Fernando Alonso logging anything more than reconnaissance laps. The two-time Formula One champion totaled 11 laps, with his best being a 2:18.545.

Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo and Toro Rosso’s Brendon Hartley each made two laps, while Sauber’s Marcus Ericsson and Williams’ Robert Kubica drove a single lap apiece.

Teams anticipate a slight reprieve from these treacherous conditions on Thursday, where the weather forecast calls for sun in the morning with slightly warmer temperatures before rain returns late in the afternoon.

Today was a frustrating day for everyone because they didn’t get anything in. There’s always plenty to do, but you try to come here to make progress with your car and to learn something. Obviously no one achieved that today. A cold weather front like this is not usual for this time of year. Sometimes these things just happen. Teams have to live with it and try to do their best, but it makes it a long frustrating day.

When you’ve got only four preseason days per driver in the car, every lost day is significant.

Wednesday Test Times