F1 testing midday report: 40 laps but with a setback for Ferrari and Sebastian Vettel in the morning session. Seb completed 40 laps in the morning session.

Scuderia Ferrari German driver Sebastian Vettel was able to complete 40 laps in the morning session of today’s testing, before a mechanical problem forced the four-time Formula One world champion to crash into the barriers at the Circuit de Catalunya, ending the Maranello team’s morning session. The German went straight on at turn three, leaving his SF90 wedged into the barriers and bringing out red flags.

Sebastian Vettel emerged unscathed from the incident, but the German driver was taken to the Circuit de Catalunya medical centre for precautionary checks due to the fact that the impact of crash was registered above limit so Sebastian needed to be seen by doctors.

A number of marshalls and vehicles immediately descended on the crash site to help Sebastian Vettel and move his Ferrari back to the pits, with the Maranello team’s mechanics who will be working hard during the lunch break in order to repair the SF90, as Charles Leclerc should be back in action for Ferrari at the Circuit de Catalunya in the afternoon session today, yet for the moment it remains unclear when the Italian side  will be able to get the car ready to run again.

As far as the lap times are concerned, Sebastian Vettel finished the morning session second (1:18.195), behind Carlos Sainz, who set the fastest time of winter for McLaren.

TIMES & LAP COUNT

Carlos Sainz – McLaren – 1:17.144s – 54

Sebastian Vettel – Ferrari – 1:18.195s – 40

Max Verstappen – Red Bull – 1:18.395s – 69

Valtteri Bottas – Mercedes – 1:18.941s – 71

Daniil Kvyat – Toro Rosso – 1:19.060 – 36

Kimi Raikkonen – Alfa Romeo Racing – 1:19.194s – 43

Sergio Perez – Racing Point – 1:19.207s – 29

Robert Kubica – Williams – 1:19.367s – 40

Romain Grosjean – Haas – 1:19.717s – 53

Daniel Ricciardo – Renault – 1:22.597s – 68