Wehrlein tops interrupted day of testing

F1 Test, Spielberg, Red Bull Ring

Mercedes AMG F1 test driver Pascal Wehrlein topped the first day of testing in Austria, setting the fastest time late in the afternoon when track was at its driest.

The session got off to a slow start, and when it was scheduled to start, Valtteri Bottas and Susie Wolff were seen hopping into a road going car to do a reconnaissance laps around the circuit. The delay immediately triggered Mercedes to change its driver schedule, summoning Pascal Wehrlein to complete the day and asking Nico Rosberg to drive a day later, when the weather is expected to be more favourable.

At 9:03 local time, 33 minutes later than scheduled, the track was declared open, with Vandoorne kicking off for an installation lap on the full wets. Ferrari Academy Driver member and GP3 racer Antonio Fuoco made his Formula One test debut as he slotted in behind the wheel of the SF15-T at the same time.

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The track is soon red flagged again after rain intensified. In fact, this closed the morning of running, with the track declared good enough only at 14:00. Stoffel Vandoorne immediately went out, followed by Verstappen and Fuoco.

15 minutes later, Susie Wolff headed out on track in the Williams, soon followed by Pierre Gasly in the Red Bull RB11.

Verstappen soon proved fastest as laps were getting recorded. Wehrlein's Mercedes and Marciello's Sauber took a little longer to get ready and were unable to join the action until past 15:00.

Improvements continued to lighten up the timing sheets while teams were visibly busy verifying aerodynamic components. Williams for instance showed up with a particular wing in front of the rear wheels, whereas Force India debuted a new front wing and a nose cone with nostrils.

Fuoco however caused another red flag at 17:12 as he crashed out in turn one. The car appeared to be only slightly damaged, but it took around 15 minutes to get the others cars back on track.

After that, Wehrlein improved to top the timesheets before another mild shower sealed the timing sheet.