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McLaren racing director Eric Boullier played down the significance of the British team's problems after mechanical issues blighted their test session on Tuesday.

Stoffel Vandoorne would cause two of the three red flags and had to be pushed down the pit-lane on a third occasion as electrical and hydraulic failures hit the MCL33 in Barcelona, resulting in just 38 laps of running.

The poor reliability brought back flashbacks of a year ago, something the change from Honda to Renault engines was meant to stop, but Boullier insists it is just part and parcel of this stage of the year.

"There is absolutely no drama," the Frenchman told Sky Sports. "This is just testing. We push the car to the limits and we try some various conditions and set-ups and things. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

"The cars are complicated and when you have to change something in the heart of the car it takes longer than in the old days when it was much simpler."

On Wednesday, that notion had seemed to be true with Fernando Alonso running well in the first hour and a half with the most laps of anyone, but another stoppage interrupted that strong start as McLaren now looks to play catch up.

"There are important parts [to test] and less important parts and we'll do our best to cover the most miles we can in the last three days," Boullier added.

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McLaren's problematic start to 2018 has continued on the opening day of the second test with electrical problems hampering the MCL33.

Driver Stoffel Vandoorne has twice caused red flags at the time of writing and has had to be pushed back to the garage on a third occasion, following the initial installation lap, as the power unit shutdown.

Autosport claims the issues are related to the battery linked to the new-for-2018 Renault engine and could be the result of cooling issues already noted from the first week of running in Barcelona.

With temperatures in Spain back to a more normal level, the McLaren was seen was three slots on the engine cover to allow hot air towards the back to escape, though scorch marks were still visible through the papaya orange livery.

These new setbacks follow the loose wheelnut and exhaust clip problems which interrupted running last week along with the poor weather that hampered all teams.

On Tuesday, several have already reached the 100-lap mark in a bid to take advantage of the improved conditions, however, so far Vandoorne has only 38 to his name, the lowest of all. 

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Brake problems were the cause of Toro Rosso's first major problem in pre-season testing, the Italian team confirmed on Tuesday.

After topping the distance covered chart last week, Pierre Gasly was continuing the junior Red Bull outfit's surprisingly strong start with over 50 laps in the morning and a best time within half a second of pacesetter Sebastian Vettel.

However, the Frenchman would manage just one lap in the afternoon sparking thoughts of a first problem with new engine supplier Honda.

"Unfortunately a brake system issue caught us out in the afternoon and took longer than expected to fix, so we were limited to 54 laps," Toro Rosso tweeted later, ending any speculation.

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After five days, one of which was washed out by rain and snow, Honda with already within 50 laps of the total they managed with McLaren last year and would be expected to surpass it on Wednesday.

Technical director Toyoharu Tanabe offered a little more insight into the Japanese manufacturer's goal for this week adding: “Our programme this week is more race focused.

“Unfortunately we lost some track time, stopping running in the afternoon because of an issue with the car, but identifying problems like this is what testing is for and we will make further preparation to make up the lost time over the remaining three days.”

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Formula 1 managing director of motorsport, Ross Brawn has insisted the future direction of the sport needs to be "fair to all, including Ferrari".

Last year, the chairman at the Scuderia, Sergio Marchionne threatened to pull F1's most famous team off the grid after 2020 after initial engine proposals were put forward.

But it is thought his stance is more general than just engines with owners Liberty Media keen to address financial inequality and level the playing field allowing independent teams a better chance against the manufacturers.

"The sport should be fair to all participants, including Ferrari," Brawn, a former technical chief at the team, told Germany's Auto Motor und Sport.

"I worked for them for 10 years and carry them in my heart still," he added. "Ferrari is an icon and I hope we will find a solution that will work for everyone. A great sport is great for everyone and we do not want Ferrari to leave."

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The Briton is leading the way in trying to shape the future of F1, from engines to aerodynamics and more. In 2017, the sport introduced new rules which have created the fastest cars in history but Brawn thinks the speed isn't important if the racing action is poor.

"A MotoGP bike is 30 seconds slower but it still seems incredibly fast," he noted.

"It's more important to have cars that look good and can compete against one another. Does anyone complain that the times are 15 seconds slower when it rains?"

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While many drivers have come to accept the Halo, Kevin Magnussen remains firmly against the cockpit device and has identified several potential concerns.

The new frontal crash structure, aimed at protecting drivers from debris or in certain crash situations, was made mandatory by the FIA for 2018 and fans have remained stubborn in their opposition mainly for aesthetic reasons.

Last week, all the drivers got the chance to adjust to the Halo as testing began and some initial visibility worries, including start lights and pit-stops, appear to be unfounded but the Dane still sees it as a potential distraction.

“Once you get into the corner it’s fine because you look to the sides and left and right of the pillar in the middle so it’s not a problem visually to see the corner,” he explained to Autosport.

“But it distracts your eye obviously when you change direction like chicanes and you have to move your vision across the pillar."

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Though the drivers are able to look up much more than perhaps anticipated, as they sit lower in the car than most cameras suggest, Magnussen also sees some potential issues through one famous corner.

“If you’re chasing someone in Eau Rouge you won’t be able to see if he makes a mistake at the top and spins if you’re down the middle part,” he claimed. “You won’t know if he’s in the wall or not.

“I guess the same at Austin Turn 1 where there’s big elevation, but we’ll see.”

More broadly, the Haas driver is simply not a fan of Halo, adding: “It’s very annoying. Ugly. Difficult to get into the car, difficult to get out of the car, difficult to get the steering wheel on and off, just awkward and annoying.”

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Lewis Hamilton believes Formula 1 prodigy Max Verstappen has the "potential" to be world champion is in the "perfect place" at Red Bull to continue growing his career.

The Briton has been one of the biggest supporters of the young Dutchman, who after just a few years could be considered on a similar level to the Mercedes driver both in terms of ability and fan following.

Indeed, Hamilton has identified the second-generation racer as one of his main rivals for 2018 but for now, he is praising the work Verstappen has done to rise up so quickly.

"He definitely has the potential to be a world champion as we've all seen that and that is why he has such a great following," the current champion said in Barcelona last week.

"We've seen the way he drives and he has great potential and is in a great team. I think he is in the perfect place to continue growing.

"He has a long time ahead of him even with a good few seasons under his belt. I still hadn't even had my first season at 21 so he is even further ahead than me and a lot of the drivers."

For all his praise, however, the 33-year-old is eager to ensure Verstappen's success is kept to a minimum while he remains on the grid.

"While I'm here I am going to be doing what I can to stop him winning," Lewis, who has previously claimed he will need to improve to stay ahead, stated.

"People won't particularly love that but that is what we are here to do, we are here to battle and I am looking forward to having some really positive battles with him -- hopefully this year."

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Current Formula 2 world champion Charles Leclerc is aiming to keep his "feet on the ground" as he adjusts to life in F1 with Sauber.

The Monegasque is the highest profile rookie to join the grid in 2018 after consecutive championships in GP3 and the rebranded F2 series, dominating the latter last year.

Many believe it is a matter of when not if Leclerc joins Ferrari, where he is an Academy member, but despite his recent success, the 20-year-old knows nothing is guaranteed once you have reached the pinnacle.

“Keeping my feet on the ground is I think the most important thing," he told Sky Sports looking ahead to the new season.

“Especially when you arrive in F1, some drivers may think that they have achieved their goal but I think there is a lot more to go after that.

"I have a lot of things to learn still and still a long way to go.”

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Leclerc's promotion was thanks in part to Sauber's new closer collaboration with Ferrari for this year which has seen another Fiat-owned brand in Alfa Romeo join as a technical partner and title sponsor.

That is a boost the Swiss team hopes can move them back into the heart of the midfield after several poor seasons and their new driver is also excited by the potential.

“Timing is one of the most important things in motorsport, I think, and it’s a great time for the team at the moment with the comeback of such a historic brand in Alfa Romeo joining Sauber," Leclerc commented.

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Sergio Perez is hoping he and Force India teammate Esteban Ocon can continue to "work together" during what he considers a "massive year" for the team.

Last year the two drivers had to be banned from racing each other on track following a spate of incidents, notably in Baku and Belgium that despite a remarkable year which saw them score double points in 16 of the 20 races, a record only beaten by Mercedes.

In 2018, however, their fourth place in the constructors' standings is under much greater threat with McLaren and Renault set to step up, as well as other midfield rivals such as Williams and Toro Rosso.

Looking ahead to the new season, the team orders introduced are being dropped and Perez hopes to build on the relationship which emerged after the controversy.

“The good thing was how we finished last year and how we ended it working together,” the Mexican told ESPN.

“That is the same approach we have to go into this year with as it is very important that we keep working together, keep working hard for the benefit of the team. Especially at this stage of the season.

"It is going to be a massive year for Force India as there are big teams coming and big teams that are going to push us very hard. I believe it is going to be a hard year for us.”

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The fight to be the number one within the Silverstone outfit is still very important, however, with Perez seeing his chances at a top drive disappearing while Ocon has to continue proving he is worthy of being Mercedes' top young driver.

“You never stop learning in F1 and he is going to have more experience but it is always good to have a competitive teammate next to you," the former McLaren driver claimed.

“I believe that I will get better as well so it will be a hard battle but in F1 your first reference is your teammate and I believe Esteban is a good one to have.”

Force India could also be set for a big change off the track, with a new name possible before Melbourne and rumours of new ownership also still rumbling.

Now, the Daily Express is claiming the £200m takeover by British drinks company Rich Energy reported around a week ago could go ahead as soon as this week.

“F1 is the perfect platform for the brand, motorsport is all about a fast, glamorous lifestyle. It works for Red Bull,” founder and chief executive William Storey was quoted as saying. 

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Sebastian Vettel set the pace for Ferrari in a tightly-packed field as the second and final pre-season test began in Barcelona.

The German set a 1m20.396s on the Medium compound tyre towards the end of the morning, exactly two-tenths clear of Valtteri Bottas' Mercedes with the Finn managing his best on the Soft Pirellis.

Vettel also covered the most distance for an individual driver with a remarkable 171 laps of the Spanish Grand Prix venue, though most teams would manage extensive programs as they look to make up for the time lost last week.

It would be the world champions who did the most laps for a team, however, with Bottas and Lewis Hamilton combining for 177 tours.

Max Verstappen would be third in the lap times just over a quarter of a second off the leading pace and, despite causing the final red flag after stopping at Turn 1 it would only be a small problem with the Dutchman returning and tallying 130 laps for Red Bull.

Hamilton would be fourth in his Silver Arrows after running in the afternoon when times are often slightly slower, with Pierre Gasly fifth as Toro Rosso showed better pace but would have their first setback following brake problems.

Kevin Magnussen was a solid sixth for Haas ahead of the two Renault drivers as Nico Hulkenberg pipped Carlos Sainz by 0.023s but the Spaniard completed almost double the number of laps.

Williams had a steady day with Sergey Sirotkin a respectable ninth and Lance Stroll seemingly focused on long runs as he brought up the field despite being the only driver to use the Hypersoft tyre.

Both Sainz and Stroll were potentially set for the first full race simulations of pre-season but ill-timed red flags scuppered those plans.

Sergio Perez was 10th on another quiet day for Force India, though the Mexican did manage 93 laps after having the lowest total last week. He led Marcus Ericsson in the Sauber, though the Swede would travel further with 120 laps.

A big story from Tuesday was the woes at McLaren as Stoffel Vandoorne had three car shutdowns due to electrical issues as the British team also struggles for cooling with the new Renault engine.

Following his second on-track stoppage in the afternoon, the Belgian would not re-emerge ending with the lowest lap total of just 38. Hardly the ideal way to start what is meant to be a new chapter for McLaren.

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Brendon Hartley is hoping Toro Rosso and Honda can maintain their strong early signs from the first Formula 1 test and silence the doubters in 2018.

Last week, the junior Red Bull team shocked many by completing 324 laps of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, the most of any team and a barometer often more important than lap times in testing.

It was a stark contrast to the problems Honda faced with McLaren pre-season in the last three years, part of which was why many are still sceptical of whether their new partnership will be a success.

The Kiwi, however, is upbeat: “I’m really optimistic and positive about this new relationship with Toro Rosso and Honda,” he told Crash.net. “Everyone’s working really hard and I see that we’re going to improve during the season.

“I hope that we can be a bit of a surprise as I think a lot of people wrote us off with the new partnership with Honda."

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Also interesting was how high the Honda-powered STR13 featured in the speed trap with Hartley's teammate Pierre Gasly matching Ferrari and Mercedes albeit with all engines likely running in conservative modes.

As for the season ahead, the WEC world champion, who earned his second shot at F1 with the Red Bull program last October, is keeping his own expectations in check.

“I know myself, my goals of how I want to perform but it’s hard to put a number on that," he said. “I’m the final piece of the puzzle inside the car, myself and Pierre [Gasly], but it’ a big team effort.

“I have some personal goals and targets that I want to fulfil and I think only I’ll know if I’ve achieved them.”

 

         

 

 

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