2019 F1 Pre-Season Testing: Mercedes’ Dominant Mileage vs. Ferrari’s Blistering Pace Sets Stage for Thrilling Season

As the curtains fell on the 2019 Formula 1 pre-season testing in Barcelona, the paddock was left buzzing with a mix of anticipation and intrigue. The eight days of intensive running at the Circuit de Catalunya offered tantalizing glimpses into the pecking order for the upcoming season, with two clear narratives dominating the headlines: Ferrari’s raw single-lap pace and Mercedes’ unparalleled reliability and endurance. While Ferrari managed to snatch the fastest overall lap time, just three-thousandths of a second ahead of Mercedes, the reigning champions accumulated an astonishing 200 more laps than their Italian rivals, highlighting vastly different approaches to their winter preparations.

Mercedes vs. Ferrari: A Strategic Divide in Pre-Season Testing

The statistical differences between Mercedes and Ferrari’s pre-season efforts paint a compelling picture. Both teams covered comparable ground during the initial four-day test, yet Mercedes significantly ramped up their mileage in the second week. By the conclusion of the testing period, the Silver Arrows had logged an impressive 1,190 laps – equating to over 5,500 kilometers around the Circuit de Catalunya. This extensive running represents a considerable leap beyond what last year’s mileage champions achieved, a feat undoubtedly aided by the significantly improved weather conditions experienced during this year’s winter testing.

This stark contrast in mileage is a critical indicator of a team’s testing philosophy. For Mercedes, accumulating vast amounts of data through long runs is paramount. High mileage allows them to rigorously test the reliability of their W10 challenger, understand its aerodynamic characteristics across varying fuel loads and tyre compounds, and validate countless simulation models. It suggests a methodical approach, focusing on iron-clad consistency and understanding the car’s limits over a race distance. Ferrari, on the other hand, while not neglecting reliability, appeared to place a greater emphasis on showcasing the outright speed of their SF90, pushing for blistering single-lap times, particularly in the latter stages of testing with softer Pirelli compounds.

The minuscule gap of 0.003 seconds between the top two teams’ best lap times on the fastest C5 compound suggests an incredibly tight battle awaits. However, Mercedes demonstrated a much more substantial year-on-year improvement in their pre-season test pace compared to 2018. This suggests that the Brackley-based squad, perhaps feeling the pressure from Ferrari’s strong performance in the first half of the previous season, felt compelled to push their W10 harder and extract more single-lap performance during testing. Ferrari’s consistent speed, having been regularly quicker than Mercedes over a single lap throughout the initial phases of 2018, likely fueled Mercedes’ renewed focus on raw pace alongside their traditional reliability.

The Enigmatic Midfield and Red Bull’s Position

Behind the dominant duo, the midfield battle promises to be one of the most exciting aspects of the 2019 F1 season. The timesheets indicate an impossibly close fight, with several teams demonstrating similar levels of performance. Renault, Toro Rosso, McLaren, Haas, and Alfa Romeo all showcased impressive pace, often separated by mere tenths of a second, hinting at intense competition for constructor points.

Red Bull Racing, often considered part of the ‘top three,’ appears to have slipped closer to this fiercely competitive midfield pack. Alongside Mercedes, Red Bull was notably one of only two teams that did not manage to post a lap time quicker than their respective 2018 Spanish Grand Prix race weekend pace during the two weeks of testing. This observation raises questions about the initial performance of their new RB15 chassis, especially as they embark on a new powertrain partnership with Honda. While testing lap times can be notoriously misleading due to varying fuel loads and engine modes, this lack of year-on-year improvement in raw pace suggests Red Bull might have more work to do than their immediate rivals to catch up to the front-runners.

Year-on-Year Performance Shifts and Surprising Gains

While Mercedes posted the greatest year-on-year improvement in terms of testing pace, this can be partly attributed to their often conservative and reliability-focused running in previous pre-seasons. However, Alfa Romeo’s remarkable 1.8-second gain compared to their performance 12 months prior stands out as a particularly striking development. This significant leap is entirely consistent with the noticeable progress the team (formerly Sauber) made throughout the 2018 season, hinting that their upward trajectory is continuing. The C38 appears to be a genuinely strong package, and they could emerge as a significant threat within the midfield.

Such improvements are a testament to the continuous development cycles in Formula 1. Teams invest heavily in refining their aerodynamics, optimizing power unit integration, and understanding every nuance of the new regulations. Alfa Romeo’s case, driven by increased technical partnership with Ferrari and a more stable financial footing, exemplifies how a well-executed development plan can yield substantial performance gains, potentially disrupting the established order within the midfield.

Challenges Faced by Williams and Racing Point

On the other end of the spectrum, some teams encountered significant hurdles during the pre-season. Williams’ difficult start to the 2019 F1 season came as no surprise, given the widely publicized delay in the arrival of their FW42 challenger. Missing the initial days of testing severely hampered their data collection and setup work, leaving them with considerably less track time than their competitors. This lack of mileage in pre-season is a critical disadvantage, limiting their ability to validate designs, identify reliability issues, and allow drivers to acclimatize to the new car. It puts them firmly on the back foot as the season approaches.

Racing Point also faced an unexpectedly challenging testing period. Despite their RP19 car being closely based on last year’s successful machine and even incorporating a 2018-specification gearbox, they covered considerably fewer laps than they managed as Force India in 2018. This reduced mileage is concerning for a team aiming to establish itself under new ownership. The team has openly discussed plans for a major upgrade package to be introduced at the first race of the year, a strategy that carries inherent risks. While it could unlock significant performance, introducing a substantial update without prior track testing often leads to unforeseen issues, potentially impacting their early-season performance.

Interpreting the 2019 Pre-Season Lap Times

Understanding pre-season testing results requires careful consideration, as outright lap times can often be misleading. Teams operate on different agendas, varying fuel loads, engine modes, and aerodynamic configurations. The table below presents the fastest lap times achieved by each team during the 2019 pre-season, typically on the softest C5 Pirelli tyre compound, which offers maximum grip for a single qualifying-style lap.

Position	Team	Model	Time	Gap	Tyre
1	Ferrari	SF90	1’16.221		C5
2	Mercedes	W10	1’16.224	0.003	C5
3	Renault	RS19	1’16.843	0.622	C5
4	Toro Rosso	STR14	1’16.882	0.661	C5
5	McLaren	MCL34	1’16.913	0.692	C5
6	Haas	VF-19	1’17.076	0.855	C5
7	Red Bull	RB15	1’17.091	0.870	C5
8	Alfa Romeo	C38	1’17.239	1.018	C5
9	Racing Point	RP19	1’17.556	1.335	C5
10	Williams	FW42	1’18.130	1.909	C5

The table provides a snapshot of ultimate speed, but sustained performance over long runs and consistency in varying conditions are equally, if not more, important indicators of a car’s potential. The 2019 pre-season showed a remarkable compression of the field, particularly from Renault down to Alfa Romeo, suggesting that every tenth of a second will matter significantly in the upcoming championship.

Visualizing 2019 Pre-Season Lap Times Compared to Last Year

Analyzing 2019 Pre-Season Mileages Compared to Last Year

Further Insights into the 2019 F1 Season

• Crying in the Melbourne car park at 2019 grand prix was my career low – Ocon
• McLaren Racing reports reduced £71 million loss in 2019
• Kvyat: Hockenheim podium last year was “my biggest achievement” so far
• How the FIA’s new encrypted fuel flow meter targets Ferrari’s suspected ‘aliasing’ trick
• “He smashed my office door”: 23 must-see moments from ‘Drive to Survive’ season two

Browse all 2019 F1 season articles

In conclusion, the 2019 Formula 1 pre-season testing provided a compelling appetizer for what promises to be a thrilling championship. Mercedes’ relentless reliability and a significant year-on-year pace improvement, combined with Ferrari’s undeniable single-lap speed, set the stage for an intense battle at the front. The midfield is denser and more competitive than ever, while teams like Williams and Racing Point face an uphill struggle. While pre-season data offers valuable insights, the true pecking order will only become clear under the pressure of the first race weekend. The anticipation for the 2019 F1 season is now at an all-time high.