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25 Feb 2022

Relive 2022 Barcelona F1 testing

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Catch up with Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One™ Team's progress in the 2022 Barcelona pre-season test with our live updates.

The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya hosted three days of running in Spain, and it provided the team with an opportunity to learn all about the brand-new AMR22 ahead of the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix on March 20.

Day Three

18:00 - Testing in Barcelona comes to a close after three days at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Thank you for reading, and make sure you're following @AstonMartinF1 on Twitter, TikTok and Instagram to get the latest from the team.

You can also join I / AM, our free-to-join membership programme, for exclusive perks.

17:30 - Here's the headline stats from our testing in Barcelona. Between them, Lance and Sebastian completed 296 laps across the three days, which makes up a total of 1,377.880km.

17:00 - As the day heads into its final hour, we wanted to thank you, the fans, for joining us for every moment of our testing in Barcelona.

The 2022 season draws ever closer and we know the journey ahead will challenge and test us all, presenting new battles and hills to climb as we take on the sport's biggest technical revolution for many years.

As we look to build on the foundations of our comeback season, remember that you're on this climb too, every step of the way.

We Climb Together

Our next climbs starts here

We started climbing in 1914 and never looked back. We Climb Together.

16:30 - We have an update for you regarding the AMR22.

Despite the team's best efforts, we will not be running again today.

We'd like to thank the team for all their hard work. We go again in Bahrain.

15:30 - Ready to show your support for the team this season? Check out our store to get the team look.

Official Merchandise

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Click below to get ready for the new season and show your support for Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll.

Discover the range

14:50 - We have another update for you regarding the AMR22: there was an oil leak which caused a small fire, and led to Sebastian stopping on track. The team is continuing to investigate the source of the issue.

14:30 - If you're wondering why the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya appears to be soaked, your eyes aren't deceiving you. The track has been watered to allow drivers and teams to experience wet weather running before the season starts.

14:15 - The test has been hugely important for the drivers and teams in understanding the technical regulations. But just comprehensive are they? What were the challenges over the winter? We explain all in our tech video.

14:00 - The afternoon session begins.

13:45 - That's Sebastian's week in Barcelona wrapped up, and here's his take on testing.

F1 Testing

Hear from Sebastian

Sebastian reviews his time testing in Barcelona after handing the AMR22 to Lance.

13:30 - The AMR22 is now back in the garage and Sebastian is OK.

13:15 - There's been some breaking news regarding the 2022 Russian Grand Prix. The official statement from the FIA and F1 is below.

13:05 - Before the stoppage, Sebastian completed a total of 48 laps.

13:00 - The session comes to an end. We can confirm that Sebastian stopped on track and caused the last red flag. The team is on its way to recover the AMR22.

12:54 - There is another red flag, which likely means the end of the session.

12:45 - There's just 15 minutes remaining before the lunch break. Lance will take over driving duties in the afternoon.

12:30 - Don't forget: our official TikTok channel will take you behind the scenes of this week's testing in Barcelona, so make sure you follow for exclusive content.

12:24 - Sebastian's now on track and seeking to add to his laps in his final session with the AMR22 before testing in Bahrain.

12:20 - And we're back to green with 40 minutes left in the morning's session.

12:07 - Sebastian's returned to the garage.

12:04 - Well that was a short-lived run. Another red flag has been shown...

12:02 - Sebastian's back on track, so we thought we'd treat you the sights and sounds of the AMR22 once again...

F1 Testing

Back on track

Watch as Sebastian drives past the pitwall in the AMR22.

11:58 - The track is cleared and the session is green.

11:37 - There's the second red flag of the day, but there's no impact on the team as Sebastian is in the garage.

11:30 - And here's your first shot of Sebastian on track today.

11:20 - Sebastian continues a productive morning – he's back on track again.

11:10 - In case you missed it, there's going to be a familiar sight at 12 of the 23 Grands Prix this year: the Aston Martin Vantage Safety Car and the DBX Medical Car. More here.

11:00 - Sebastian's returned to the garage as we head into the second half of the morning's session.

10:45 - Sebastian's joining a relatively quiet track to begin his latest run. Clean air and plenty of space is welcome, though there are benefits to running around other cars as it allows real-world simulation of similar scenarios to the ones drivers encounter in races.

10:35 - It's not long until the season begins in Bahrain. Are you ready? Register to become an I / AM member today and get access to the most exclusive, rewarding and inclusive fan community on the grid.

This is your ticket to exclusive opportunities such as video calls with our drivers, so sign up today.

10:20 - All quiet on track as Sebastian and the majority of the field take the opportunity to pit and plan their next outings.

10:10 - Sebastian's back on track.

10:05 - We're back underway as the session goes green.

10:00 - The cause of the red flag was a car stopped on track and we're still waiting for it to be recovered before the session can resume.

09:50 - There's a red flag out on track, although Sebastian was already in the pitlane at that point.

While we wait for the session to resume, why not get up to speed with F1's new technical revolution? Our six-part series shines a light on the key areas of change.

• Car design philosophy

• Car part production

• Ground effect

• Safety innovations

• Overtaking

• 18-inch wheels

09:35 - Sebastian's back out on track, joining an increasingly busy circuit in Barcelona.

09:30 - We kicked off the day with some great news this morning: we're delighted to continue our partnership with Oakley into 2022.

09:15 - Sebastian's already completed his first stint in the AMR22 today and is currently in the garage ahead of his second run.

09:05 - Straight down to business: Sebastian was quick into the car and out swiftly to begin the day's testing programme.

F1 testing

Ready for action

Sebastian climbs into the AMR22 to kickstart the final day of testing in Barcelona.

09:02 - Sebastian heads out on track for the first time today.

09:00 - And the final day of Barcelona testing begins. The circuit is now open.

08:50 - Thanks for joining us on our journey through testing so far. Our fans are the heart and soul of everything we do, so keep sharing your support with us at @AstonMartinF1 on Twitter and Instagram, using the hashtags #IAM and #WeClimbTogether.

08:40 - Time for a weather update: it's 12 degrees celsius this morning and a little bit cloudy. Consistent good weather has been ever-present this week in Barcelona, which is exactly what the teams need to conduct plenty of running. Let's hope we haven't just jinxed it...

08:30 - Hello and welcome back to our live coverage from Barcelona. It's the final day of testing in Spain, so one last chance to rack up the laps and miles.

Sebastian is first in the car today and Lance then takes over for the afternoon.

Day Two

18:10 That's all from us today. Thanks for joining us for live coverage from Barcelona. We'll see you tomorrow bright and early for the final day of testing in Spain.

18:05 - Sebastian completes his running with a total of 74 laps. Added to Lance's morning tally of 55 and it's a distance of 600.495 km covered on Thursday.

Across the two days so far, that's 248 laps and a total of 1154.44 km. That's almost the same distance as driving from our Silverstone HQ to Paris and back. Not that it's a trip we often make...

18:03 - Sebastian takes the opportunity to a practice start before heading back to the garage.

18:00 - And that's a wrap on today's running. We'll bring you the key numbers from today momentarily.

17:45 - 15 minutes to go on the penultimate day of testing in Barcelona.

17:36 - After a short spell in the garage, Sebastian is back on track.

17:20 - Sebastian's back on track with just 40 minutes left in the session.

17:10 - There's plenty of time to get the team look ahead of next month's season-opening race in Bahrain.

Official Merchandise

Shop now

Click below to get ready for the new season and show your support for Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll.

Discover the range

17:00 - The time's flying by in Barcelona and we're into the final hour of today's testing.

16:50 - We think the answer is yes...

16:35 - After a lengthy stint out on track, Sebastian's heading back into the pitlane. There's just over 90 minutes to go in today's running.

16:20 - Sebastian exploring the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya as we begin to head towards the twilight running.

16:00 - We're halfway through this afternoon session, meaning there's just two hours left on the clock in today's running.

15:55 - The 2022 Formula One season includes the first-ever Miami Grand Prix.

Our Driver Ambassador Jessica Hawkins is Stateside in Florida with our Official Cybersecurity Partner SentinelOne, discussing technology and the growing influence of women in motorsport.

Learn more here.

15:45 - Sebastian begins his latest stint in the AMR22.

15:36 - The circuit is green once again, but no-one's rushing to take to the track yet.

15:27 - There's a pause to the session as we have the second red flag of the day for a car out on track.

15:25 - He's back in the garage for now, so why not use the lull in proceedings to get fully up to speed with the key areas of the new technical regulations.

Featuring insight from key technical figures, this six-part series shines a light on the technical features underpinning Grand Prix racing this year.

• Car design philosophy

• Car part production

• Ground effect

• Safety innovations

• Overtaking

• 18-inch wheels

15:15 - Sebastian is one of only three drivers on track at the moment, so he's taking advantage of space and clean air to add to his tally.

15:00 - We're an hour into the session and Sebastian's putting the AMR22 through its paces. Blink and you'll miss him...

14:45 - Time for a weather update: it's a much warmer 16 degrees celsius this afternoon. It's still somewhat cloudy and there's a little wind, but we can't complain too much.

After all, it's easy to forget that snow in 2018 temporarily put a halt to Barcelona testing... And it's easy to see why when you look at the picture below.

14:30 - Sebastian's returned to the track as he makes a productive start to the opening 30 minutes of the afternoon session.

14:25 - Sebastian's back in the garage putting some early laps on the board.

The journey from early designs in the factory to the fully-fledged first iteration of the AMR22 is a journey that took over a year.

Go behind the scenes of our Silverstone HQ and discover the key areas of our factory in this video. The doors are unlocked, so step on in.

14:12 - Sebastian heads out in the AMR22 for the first time today.

14:05 - The track is open, honest. It's just that no-one's venturing out just yet.

14:00 - The track is now open.

13:50 - Suit up.

F1 testing

Get ready to go

It's time for Sebastian to get ready to climb into the AMR22.

13:45 - And we're back. If you missed it while having lunch, there's some great news as Aston Martin confirms that the Vantage Safety Car and DBX Medical Car will continue in their roles for 2022. More here.

13:06 - Join us just before 14:00 local time as we bring you coverage of Sebastian's return to the AMR22's cockpit.

13:05 - It's 55 laps on the board with a best time of 1.21.920. A solid morning's work for the Canadian.

13:00 - The session comes to a close and that's a wrap for Lance today.

12:50 - It's looking busy out there as most teams seek to gain a few extra laps before the break.

12:45 - Lance heads back out on track.

12:41 - And right on cue, it's a green flag. No-one's heading straight out just yet. 20 minutes to go in this session.

12:40 - While there's a lull in action, let's check back in at Silverstone HQ.

Our new factory will be the first all-new F1 factory in the UK for 17 years and the first F1 base to benefit from the full installation of smart factory intelligent systems.

Construction is ongoing and you can get the latest on the project in this video.

12:35 - There's just 25 minutes left of the morning session and we're still under a red flag. Likely to be limited running for any of the teams before the lunch break, you'd imagine.

12:24 - A red flag has been shown for an incident elsewhere, the first of testing so far. Lance is now returning to the garage as per standard procedure.

12:20 - Lance continues to put the AMR22 through its paces, racking up the laps in the process.

12:00 - We're into the final hour of the morning before the lunch break. Lance will make way for Sebastian's turn in the car this afternoon. And Lance is making the most of it, as he's currently out on track.

11:50 - And don't forget: our official TikTok channel will take you behind the scenes of this week's testing in Barcelona, so make sure you follow for exclusive content.

11:45 - Thanks for joining us on our journey towards the grid in Bahrain next month. Our fans are the heart and soul of everything we do, so keep sharing your support with us at @AstonMartinF1 on Twitter and Instagram, using the hashtags #IAM and #WeClimbTogether.

11:30 - New to F1 testing and wondering what the team is aiming to achieve in the coming days? We have you covered.

11:00 - We're past the halfway mark of the session now.

10:40 - Lance heads back out on track as he continues a productive morning of testing.

F1 Testing

Gearing up

Lance climbs into the AMR22 as he continues testing in Barcelona.

10:40 - The best seat in the house.

10:30 - While we have your attention, have you signed up to become an I / AM member? Join us for access to the most exclusive, rewarding and inclusive fan community on the grid.

This is your ticket to exclusive opportunities such as video calls with our drivers, so sign up today.

10:10 - We always want to bring you a new perspective on the world of Formula One. In this case, quite literally...

09:55 - While drivers are still getting to grips with their 2022 cars, our Reserve and Development Driver Nico Hülkenberg has played an important part in the development of the AMR22.

Based on his early experience in the simulator, he's shared his insight into the 2022 regulations.

09:35 - Lance is back out on track as he continues to add to his lap tally.

09:30 - The key in this week's test is gathering sufficient data to make headway in fully understanding the 2022 technical regulations.

You may have heard leading figures in F1 describe it as the biggest car design revolution in decades, and it's no exaggeration.

To understand the scale of the challenge for all teams, watch our video detailing the progress made over the winter.

09:20 - Lance was able to make the most of relatively little traffic on his first run in the car, and now he's returned to the garage to make it an empty track and a full pitlane in Barcelona.

09:15 - And this was the moment when Lance took to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for the first time.

09:10 - While we can't provide live commentary from Lance while he's on track, we can hear about his first day in the car yesterday...

Barcelona testing

Hear from Lance

Watch as Lance summarises his first day with the AMR22 in Barcelona.

09:04 - And just like that, Lance heads out on track for the first time today.

09:03 - While we wait for Lance to take the track, get up close with his testing crash helmet.

09:00 - The track opens and we're underway for day two of testing.

08:50 - Did yesterday's testing get you even more excited for the 2022 F1 season? Prepare for the new campaign with our guide to the season.

You can also check out the calendar on our dedicated race hub.

08:30 - Good morning! Lance will be the first to climb into the AMR22 this morning before handing the car over to Sebastian in the afternoon.

It's a cool eight degrees celsius in Barcelona this morning and there's clouds in the sky, meaning it's ideal conditions to work through the second day of the testing programme.

We'll bring you live coverage throughout the day, so remember to periodically refresh the page to get the latest info from the circuit.

Day One

18:15 - Thanks for joining us in our coverage today. We'll be back tomorrow morning for the second day of testing, so join us from 08:30 local time for the latest from the track.

18:05 - Lance has completed a total of 67 laps. Combined with Sebastian's 52 this morning, and Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One™ Team ends the first day with 119 laps on the board.

That's a total of 553.95km of running, or just under the distance between our Silverstone factory and the Belgian capital of Brussels, if you wanted a long road trip...

18:00 - The first day of testing has come to a close and Lance ends his session in the AMR22 with a practice start.

17:40 - Lance is one of three drivers on the track maximising the remaining 20 minutes of the session.

17:20 - We're firmly into dusk as Lance makes the most of a largely empty track. There's just over 30 minutes remaining in today's running.

17:05 - Last week, Netflix confirmed that Drive to Survive will return for a fourth season on March 11. But what is it like for the drivers and teams featured? Our Reserve and Development Driver Nico Hülkenberg explains all in the latest Hulk Reports.

16:50 - Lance has completed his latest run in the AMR22 as the session heads towards its final hour and twilight.

16:25 - Lance explores the Barcelona circuit as he builds up his understanding of the AMR22.

16:10 - Lance is heading back out on track.

16:00 - Not to tempt fate, but, as we head into the final two hours of the first day of testing in Barcelona, we're yet to see a single stoppage in the session, helping all teams to rack up the miles.

For now, Lance completes his stint and returns to the pitlane.

F1 testing

Lance is ready for more

Lance returns to the garage after his first stint in the AMR22 as the team continues to work through its test programme.

15:45 - Last but not least, we're delving into tyre whispering in the final part of our six-part series. Join Chief Technical Officer Andrew Green as he explains how the new 18-inch wheels will impact F1 racing this year.

15:20 - Now it's Lance's turn to fly past the pitwall.

F1 testing

Lance at speed in the AMR22

Lance Stroll completes a lap in the AMR22 during Barcelona testing.

15:05 - The track is getting busier now as more teams head out. Lance is already on track and adding to his lap count.

14:52 - Lance heads out for the first time in the AMR22.

14:50 - The AMR22 awaits Lance during the lunch break, ahead of the Canadian's first laps in the car in Barcelona.

14:40 - While testing isn't the place for overtaking, you are likely to see cars tailing one another to understand how easy or difficult it is to follow.

In the fifth instalment of our six-part series, Chief Technical Officer Andrew Green explains how overtaking will change under the 2022 technical regulations.

14:20 - Our official TikTok channel will take you behind the scenes of this week's testing in Barcelona, so make sure you follow for exclusive content.

14:10 - While we wait for Lance to take to the track, we're once again diving into the new technical regulations to bring you up to speed with the revolutionary new cars touring Barcelona today.

This time, it's the safety innovations that F1 and the FIA have tirelessly worked on to keep the drivers safe.

14:00 - The track has now re-opened.

13:50 - There's 10 minutes to go before we're back underway for the afternoon's session. That gives you a good window to watch most of the latest episode of #IAMSTORIES | INSIDER.

#IAMSTORIES | INSIDER

First look at F1 2022: From studio to racetrack

INSIDER is back. And trust us, it's been worth the wait. From exclusive access to Lance and Seb's winter photoshoot to the launch of the AMR22 and its track debut, the first of any 2022 Formula One car, this is the untold story of our preparations for the new season. We Climb Together.

13:00 - And that's the morning's running complete as Sebastian ends his session with 52 laps on the board. With no yellow or red flags for any team at any point in the session, it's proved an ideal period to gather data.

It's now time for a lunch break while preparing for the afternoon's session. We'll be back just before 14:00 local time to bring you coverage of Lance's stint in the AMR22.

F1 testing

Sebastian completes his session

Sebastian's ready to hand over to Lance for this afternoon's testing in Barcelona.

12:45 - Doesn't time fly when you're having fun? Just 15 minutes to go in the morning session.

12:30 - Sebastian is out on track and getting up to speed with the AMR22 as the morning session heads into the final 30 minutes.

12:20 - One area of the 2022 regulations is sure to excite fans who remember the heydays of the 1970s and 1980s: ground effect.

For 2022, the aerodynamic philosophy truly returns. But how will it affect the racing, and those driving the cars?

Chief Technical Officer Andrew Green is your guide in the third of our six-part series.

12:00 - Thanks for joining us on our journey towards the grid in Bahrain next month. Our fans are the heart and soul of everything we do, so keep sharing your support with us at @AstonMartinF1 on Twitter and Instagram, using the hashtags #IAM and #WeClimbTogether.

11:50 - Sebastian continues to increase his lap tally this morning, as we head towards the final hour of the morning session.

11:40 - We've shown you the AMR22, but how about Sebastian himself? Here he is climbing into the car earlier this morning.

11:15 - It's the moment you've been waiting for.

Trackside in Barcelona

View from the pitwall

See the AMR22 at speed for the first time as Sebastian Vettel completes a lap at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

11:00 - We're halfway through the morning's running, as well as halfway through Sebastian's time in the car today. Lance will take over in the afternoon.

10:50 - You can expect an intense development race up and down the grid this year as teams quickly get up to speed with the new regulations. But just how quickly can a team produce a part?

Find out in the second instalment of our six-part guide to the new regulations as Production Manager Simon Cayzer explains all.

10:30 - Sebastian has completed laps in the AMR22, and here's your first on-track shots.

Official Merchandise

Shop now

Click below to get ready for the new season and show your support for Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll.

Discover the range

09:50 - It's all change in Formula One this year following a wide-ranging technical revolution. We've distilled the major changes into a six-part series. First up, we're exploring car design philosophy.

09:30 - The moment the AMR22 took to the track for the first time in Barcelona.

09:15 - It's a cool seven degrees celsius at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya and the wind speed is just 4mph. Otherwise known as ideal testing weather. It's sunny too, which is a bonus.

09:10 - And here's your first shot of the AMR22 today.

09:00 - The track is now open to all teams, and Sebastian heads straight out on track. We'll share images and videos as we get them.

08:55 - Sebastian Vettel will be the first to drive the the AMR22 today, taking on this morning's running. In the afternoon, he will hand over to team-mate Lance Stroll.

08:50 - Formula One has regularly tested at Barcelona, and it's for a reason. With its mix of low, medium and high-speed turns, it's an ideal venue to validate car design.

Add in its convenient location and consistent weather, which allows teams to maximise the hours of running ahead of them, and it's a natural fit for F1 testing.

08:40 - So what is the goal of pre-season testing? We spoke with Performance Director Tom McCullough to get the lowdown on a testing programme. You can read his thoughts here.

08:30 - There's 30 minutes until the circuit opens, and testing truly begins.

08:20 - Hello and welcome to our live coverage. Make sure to refresh the page every few minutes to get the latest from Barcelona.