Lights Out: Vettel's record & Ricciardo's deadline

Ferrari showed their hand as Sebastian Vettel demolished Daniel Ricciardo's lap record at the Circuit de Catalunya, though Red Bull and Mercedes kept their cards close to their chest. We've also got a clue about the Australian's future. It's lights out for Friday morning!

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Ricciardo set tongues wagging when he bettered Felipe Massa's 10-year unofficial lap record on Wednesday, but 24 hours later Vettel left us with mouths open as he put together a stunning batch of qualifying simulations on hypersoft tyres.

His quickest time stopped the clock at one minute 17.182 seconds, chopping nine tenths off Ricciardo's previous best.

Red Bull and Mercedes were conspicuous by their absence at the top of the timesheets, but Max Verstappen delivered a mammoth 187 laps and also had time to talk up his team's chances of fighting at the front in 2018.

Though the Dutchman and Ricciardo look to have improved machinery underneath them this season, it is not certain to keep the smiling Australian in place, with his contract expiring at the end of the season.

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko revealed a deadline has been put in place to decide Ricciardo's future. Talks are expected to begin next month.

Ricciardo seems happy enough at the Bulls for now, though, and he even talked up his own chances of winning a maiden title this year.

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Erm, Seb... the exit is the other way! Cc: @ScuderiaFerrari pic.twitter.com/xM3YwA1XrW — Sahara Force India (@ForceIndiaF1) March 8, 2018