Photo: Mercedes AMG F1 Team

F1 team set to skip day two of Barcelona testing amid weather concerns

09:20, 27 Jan

Updated: 09:28, 27 Jan

byTobia Elia

Mercedes will sit out the second day of testing in Barcelona due to adverse weather conditions in the forecast.

"With rain forecast for this afternoon, we've opted to postpone our second day of running and therefore won't be on track today," a spokesperson confirmed.

The Brackley-based team was among the most active on track on the opening day, with Mercedes one of the seven outfits to kick off running at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya from day one.

Antonelli and Russell completed a combined total of 151 laps, with the Briton setting the second-fastest time of the day in the afternoon session, beaten only by Isack Hadjar.

At this stage, it remains unclear how many — and which — teams will take to the track today, with rain likely to have a major impact on team programmes, even though it could also prove useful in assessing the behaviour of Pirelli’s new wet-weather tyres.

Photo: Mercedes AMG F1 Team

Heavy rain expected to hit Barcelona on F1's second test day

Running is scheduled to begin at 9:00 local time, with the morning session running until 13:00, but rain is expected to arrive around the same time the pit lane opens and intensify as the day progresses. There is also a strong chance of thunderstorms around midday, which could significantly disrupt — or even halt — on-track action altogether.

Conditions are not expected to improve in the afternoon either. The second session, set to run from 14:00 to 18:00 local time, is forecast to be hit by further heavy rain and thunderstorms.

Read the full story here.

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