Formula One News — February 2019

Charles Leclerc set the fastest time of the day in his red Ferrari and then caused the session to be red flagged late in session when his car stopped out on the circuit with a small exhaust problem. He had completed 138 laps - two race distances - by that stage. His lap time of 1:16.231 was the quickest yet in seven days of preseason testing. Lewis Hamilton's pole winning time for last year's Spanish Grand Prix was a 1:16.173.

Many drivers dream about racing for the legendary Scuderia Ferrari. That dream came true for Charles Leclerc after he had completed just a single season in Formula 1 with Sauber.

Sebastian Vettel has admitted he thinks Mercedes could be struggling.

Fernando Alonso has admitted he could return to formula one in 2020.

Robert Kubica has admitted to having "mixed" feelings as the winter test season prepares to wind down.

Racing Point is putting a brave face on a notable shortage of test kilometres so far in Barcelona.

Stoffel Vandoorne says McLaren was almost completely focused on Fernando Alonso during his time with the once-great British team.

Max Verstappen has suddenly gone very quiet about progress at Red Bull-Honda.

Kimi Raikkonen has played down mounting speculation about Alfa Romeo's ability to be a dark horse of 2019.

Kevin Magnussen has admitted he put on weight over the winter.

A Ferrari test driver will not confirm that the Maranello team is leading the 2019 field.

Mercedes is still scrambling to get ready for the first race of 2019.

Sergey Sirotkin says his plan to return to the F1 grid in 2020 is on track.

Carlos Sainz clocked the fastest lap time in the second day of the second preseason testing, backing up the speed his McLaren teammate Lando Norris showed by being quickest on the first day. Sainz and Robert Kubica (Williams) each completed 130 laps, which were the top totals for the day.

Fernando Alonso, in his new role as advisor and ambassador for McLaren, will advise the team's drivers and engineers. And he will drive at selected tests to support the development of MCL34 and MCL35 for 2020.

Mercedes had heads turning in Barcelona as the final days of winter testing before the 2019 season began.

Fernando Alonso spent Tuesday at the Circuit de Catalunya.

Frederic Vasseur has admitted that Mick Schumacher could test the 2019 Alfa Romeo in April.

Renault thinks it has reduced the gap to the top three teams over the winter.

Fernando Alonso was not the only former McLaren driver in the Barcelona paddock on Tuesday.

Another F1 driver is hopeful the new aerodynamic rules for 2019 will make overtaking easier.

Nico Rosberg insists he still is not interested in returning to formula one as a driver or team boss.

Both Haas drivers now have the same manager.

Eric Boullier is not ruling out a return to the F1 paddock.

Fernando Alonso created quite a bit of excitement when he showed up in the paddock of the Circuit de Catalunya on the first day of the second preseason test. The Spaniard was not there to drive but to observe and to visit with the McLaren team. Lando Norris, meanwhile, turned the fastest lap time of the day in his McLaren. The rookie driver completed 80 laps and stopped twice on the track with mechanical problems.