--- title: "Sebastian Vettel and Ferrari Obliterate Circuit De Catalunya’s F1 Lap Record" description: "Four-time Formula One World Champion Sebastian Vettel set a blistering lap that put the rest of the field on notice." date: "2018-03-08" modified: "2018-03-08" authors: - name: "Jerry Perez" job_title: "Deputy Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/jerry-perez" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/19084/sebastian-vettel-and-ferrari-obliterate-circuit-de-catalunyas-f1-lap-record" categories: - "News" tags: - "Ferrari" - "Formula 1" - "Lewis Hamilton" - "Mercedes-AMG" - "Racing News" - "Sebastian Vettel" - "Spainsh Grand Prix" --- # Sebastian Vettel and Ferrari Obliterate Circuit De Catalunya’s F1 Lap Record ![]() *\www.thedrive.com\* After hovering near the top of the timesheets for several days now, Ferrari's [Sebastian Vettel]() managed to squeeze the most out of his SF17H to clock in the fastest time ever for a Formula 1 car around the famous Circuit de Catalunya, near Barcelona, Spain. The German driver eclipsed the previous best time set by Daniel Ricciardo at the wheel of his RB14 by almost one whole second. The four-time [F1]() champ took advantage of the cool ambient temperatures and dry track conditions to push his Ferrari and its new Pirelli Hypersoft tires to the limit for a total of 84 laps, with the scorching lap recorded shortly before the track closed for lunch break. In order to comprehend just how quick Vettel's lap really is, *The Drive* went back to the archives and unearthed the following: Lewis Hamilton's pole-setting lap time in 2016 was 1:22.000 and 1:19.149 in 2017. Vettel's recent lap was 1:17.182, that's nearly five seconds faster than Hamilton's 2016 pole. ![message-editor%2F1520524056579-1520502131101.jpg]() *Sebastian Vettel at the wheel of his SF17H., *Formula 1** The second-to-last testing day is only halfway over, which means that there's plenty of time for [Mercedes-AMG](), Red Bull, and even Ferrari to dip into the one-sixteens. Unfortunately, according to the [FIA rules](), lap times set during pre-season tests do not count as official track records, which means that Vettel's laps will go down in history as an "unofficial track record" unless it's bested today or tomorrow, of course. ## Author Jerry is responsible for upholding The Drive's ethos as an audience-first, enthusiast-driven car blog that serves up industry-leading news, reviews, culture, and motorsport coverage. Overseeing a staff of writers and editors from his home base in Indianapolis, he helps curate the site's daily rundown, as well as its medium- and long-term content strategies. Jerry joined The Drive in 2018 as a writer and worked as news editor and managing editor before becoming the deputy in 2023. As a lifelong car enthusiast and racing fan, Jerry believes that all cars are cool, but the people behind the machines are even cooler. This belief often gives The Drive a slightly different focus from most other car sites, where we explore the humanity behind the machines. When he's not obsessing over the day's biggest stories or hanging out at a race track, Jerry can be found behind the wheel of a car, most likely sharing a laugh with his teenage son or daughter. ### Author social links [Instagram]()