Williams hoping to make delayed start to F1 testing as Leclerc is fastest in Barcelona

WILLIAMS could put the brakes on their pre-season nightmare by running for the first time today.

In a shambolic start to their winter schedule the British team’s car has not been ready, forcing them to withdraw from the opening two days of testing.

But they were set to put the new car on an overnight flight to Barcelona from their Grove HQ in Oxfordshire and team chiefs are hopeful it will hit the track after lunch.

Williams finished at the foot of the constructors’ championship standings last season and, following their setback, will be playing catch-up on their rivals, who have already racked up hundreds of miles in preparation for the forthcoming campaign.

George Russell, a 21-year-old British driver, will be seeking valuable track time ahead of his rookie campaign, while Robert Kubica has not raced competitively for more than eight years following his horrific rally crash.

Yesterday Ferrari newcomer Charles Leclerc carried over his team’s impressive start after he topped the time charts.

Picking up where team-mate Sebastian Vettel finished off, Leclerc ended the day a third-ofa-second clear of British teenager Lando Norris as McLaren’s encouraging pre-season campaign also continued.

Five-time world champion Lewis Hamilton finished 10th, with Mercedes yet to show their true hand.