Sebastian Vettel lowers Daniel Ricciardo’s unofficial record at F1 testing

The times were established on the “hypersoft” tire compound introduced this year.

They were both more than a second quicker than Lewis Hamilton’s pole position with Mercedes in last year’s Spanish Grand Prix.

Vettel ran through a number of flying laps, later lowering his own time.

Felipe Massa had the previous record of 1:18.339 in a Ferrari in 2008 testing. Times set in testing are not officially recognized as track records.

Hamilton will take over for Mercedes driver Vatteri Bottas following a lunch break. Bottas apparently focused on track time over speed during the morning, recording a session high of 95 laps.

Testing finishes on Friday. The season begins with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 25.