Three questions answered on day one of F1 testing

Daniel Ricciardo set the fastest time and completed more laps than anyone else on day one of the first pre-season test ahead of the 2018 Formula One season. Here are three burning questions that were answered at the Circuit de Catalunya.

???? AFTERNOON SESSION ????

RIC 1:20.179 (105)
BOT 1:20.349 (58)
RAI 1:20.506 (80)
HUL 1:20.547 (73)
ALO 1:21.339 (51)
SAI 1:22.168 (26)
HAM 1:22.327 (25)
HAR 1:22.371 (93)
STR 1:22.452 (46)
GRO 1:22.578 (55)
ERI 1:23.408 (63)
MAZ 1:25.628 (22)
SIR 1:44.148 (28)#F1 #F1Testing pic.twitter.com/vHnNLvAP3O — Formula 1 (@F1) February 26, 2018

RENAULT HAVE STEPPED UP

Nico Hulkenberg in the Renault works car and the Red Bull of Ricciardo each regularly spent time atop the timesheets on Monday, with the Australian ending the day in P1.

Lewis Hamilton missed out on the chance to outdo Ricciardo as rain interrupted the afternoon session, with Valtteri Bottas having had a go in the morning for the constructors' champions.

Last year's test was largely dominated by Ferrari in terms of outright pace, but hopes were raised on Monday that Red Bull will challenge the Scuderia and Mercedes at the front next season - and don't count out McLaren...

MCLAREN'S LUCK IS STILL OUT

Having ditched Mercedes just as they aced the F1 engine and spent three years slumming it with a low-wattage Honda, McLaren are supposed to be back this season with Renault power units on board.

But there was the lingering sense of farce following the team in the first hour of Monday's running when Fernando Alonso's right-rear wheel came lose, spinning him into the gravel at the last corner.

McLaren chief Zak Brown was unconcerned by a "wheel-nut issue" and Alonso returned to lay down 51 laps, clocking the fifth-quickest time.

The wheels quite literally came off for Fernando Alonso earlier ????

Just a handful of laps in - not an ideal start to #F1Testing for McLaren ????#F1 pic.twitter.com/atANeIlr7L — Formula 1 (@F1) February 26, 2018

GREEN SHOOTS AT TORO ROSSO-HONDA

Bolted into the back of Alonso's McLaren, a Honda engine managed a pitiful 29 laps on day one of this test last year.

Little is expected from the Japanese manufacturer's move to Toro Rosso, but Brendon Hartley was able to circuit 93 times with a minimum of fuss - only Ricciardo managed more.

Honda have stated they will focus on improving reliability before turning their engine up, but they look to have taken a significant step forward.