McLaren struggle as F1 testing resumes

McLaren have faced early problems at the start of the final week of Formula One pre-season testing in Spain.

The final week of Formula One pre-season testing has begun with McLaren facing early problems at the Circuit de Catalunya-Barcelona.

Stoffel Vandoorne stopped his Renault-powered McLaren on the front straight about an hour into Tuesday's session, prompting the first red flag of the day at the track just outside Barcelona.

The car had to be pushed back into the garage for repairs.

"We suffered a power shutdown during Stoff's last run, meaning we lost data," McLaren said. "The team are investigating, but we'll be back out as soon as we can."

McLaren is debuting the Renault engine this season after three dismal seasons with Honda. The team made a good start in last week's tests, with Vandoorne finishing with the third-fastest time overall.

Vandoorne's teammate, two-time world champion Fernando Alonso, ran a few laps on Monday on a "filming day". Practice is restricted in F1 but teams are allowed to take their cars to the track for a few brief periods for marketing and commercial purposes.

McLaren also struggled in last week's initial testing, as Alonso lost a rear wheel and was forced off the track.

The first four days of testing were hampered by bad weather and cold temperatures in Barcelona, keeping teams from making quality runs on a track that lacked enough grip and didn't reproduce the conditions expected during the season.

Defending champion Lewis Hamilton had the fastest time last week with Mercedes. Teammate Valtteri Bottas and Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel were among the fastest early in Tuesday's session.

Teams will test until Friday.

The 2018 season begins on March 25 with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.


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Source: AAP



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