F1 testing LIVE: Zhou Guanyu quickest on day two as Mercedes disappoint in Bahrain
It’s two down, one to go in Formula 1 pre-season testing, with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen the standout performer in Bahrain so far.
The reigning world champion was the quickest driver on Thursday and was 0.040 seconds away from repeating the feat on Friday, before being pipped to top spot by Zhou Guanyu late on, though the Chinese driver was driving on the softest tyre.
However it was a torrid day for Mercedes, with Lewis Hamilton struggling with the balance of the W14 this morning before George Russell was forced to stop out on track this evening due to a hydraulics issue.
Saturday sees the final day of testing - starts at 7am (GMT) - at the Bahrain International Circuit before all eyes turn to the first race of the season – also in the Gulf kingdom – next weekend.
Relive all the action from day two of F1 pre-season testing in Bahrain
F1 PRE-SEASON TESTING - LIVE
Zhou Guanyu was the quickest man; Verstappen 2nd; Alonso 3rd
Max Verstappen has now finished his testing after taking part in three sessions
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz was fastest on Friday morning
COMMENT: Why F1 pre-season testing takes on greater significance this year as new season dawns
Drive to Survive REVIEW: Toto Wolff rages at Christian Horner in foul-mouthed flashpoint of season 5
F1 testing LIVE: Goodbye!
17:47 , Kieran Jackson
Thank you for following today’s coverage of pre-season testing: day two!
Join us again tomorrow for live updates from the final day of running in Bahrain! Until then, have a very good evening!
F1 testing LIVE: Day two report
17:19 , Kieran Jackson
It’s two down, one to go in Formula 1 pre-season testing, with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen the standout performer in Bahrain so far.
The reigning world champion was the quickest driver on Thursday and was 0.040 seconds away from repeating the feat on Friday, before being pipped to top spot by Zhou Guanyu late on, though the Chinese driver was driving on the softest tyre.
However it was a torrid day for Mercedes, with Lewis Hamilton struggling with the balance of the W14 this morning before George Russell was forced to stop out on track this evening due to a hydraulics issue.
Saturday sees the final day of testing at the Bahrain International Circuit before all eyes turn to the first race of the season – also in the Gulf kingdom – next weekend.
Here’s what we learned from day two of F1 testing:
F1 testing: What we learned on day two in Bahrain
F1 testing LIVE: DAY TWO CLASSIFICATION
16:59 , Kieran Jackson
Here’s all the numbers you need for day two of testing.
Logan Sargeant completed the most laps in his Williams, clocking up 154!
🏁 DAY 2 CLASSIFICATION 🏁
Big lap numbers on the board for Logan Sargeant, Fernando Alonso and Zhou Guanyu! 💪#F1 #F1Testing pic.twitter.com/nYN7Y6NGmq— Formula 1 (@F1) February 24, 2023
F1 testing LIVE: DAY 2 DONE!
16:45 , Kieran Jackson
Zhou Guanyu is the man on top-spot at the end of day two! His Alfa Romeo set a 1:31:610, 0.040 seconds ahead of Max Verstappen - whose testing is now complete!
3-10: Alonso, De Vries, Hulkenberg, Sainz, Sargeant, Leclerc, Piastri, Gasly
F1 testing LIVE: 10 mins left!
16:27 , Kieran Jackson
We have a new name at the top of the leaderboard - Zhou Guanyu!
The Alfa Romeo driver goes 0.040 seconds quicker than Max Verstappen, but is using the softest C5 tyre - so not quite a representative time!
However, with 10 minutes to go the Chinese driver is stranded in his car at the start of the pit lane. With a “fake” VSC period in play anyway, the mechanics have fetched the car and rolled it back to the garage!
Now time for a standing start to close out the day...
F1 testing LIVE: 30 mins left!
15:59 , Kieran Jackson
Some impressive times being posted by the drivers running all day!
Fernando Alonso - like yesterday - is back up to P2, 0.555 seconds behind Max Verstappen. Guanyu Zhou is now in third for Alfa Romeo.
4-10: De Vries Hulkenberg, Sainz, Sargeant, Leclerc, Piastri, Gasly
Only 30 minutes to go. 30 minutes left for Max Verstappen in testing...
F1 testing LIVE: Felipe Drugovich will be in the Aston Martin cockpit on Saturday
15:54 , Kieran Jackson
Felipe Drugovich will appear in pre-season testing again for Aston Martin.
The Formula 2 champion will drive for Aston tomorrow morning with Fernando Alonso - who has driven in both sessions today - taking to the wheel in the afternoon.
What do you read into that? Lance Stroll has injured his wrist in a bicycle accident, while team boss Mike Krack said today the team are evaluating the situation “day-by-day”.
Would there be a need to put Drugovich in the car though if Stroll was fine to drive next week at the season-opening Grand Prix? Interesting...
F1 testing LIVE: Green flag conditions
15:40 , Kieran Jackson
The red flag has ended and we’re down to our final hour of running on day two in Bahrain!
Nyck de Vries has stormed up to second on the timesheets, but still 0.753 seconds off Max Verstappen. Fernando Alonso is third.
Out of all 17 who have driven today, here’s the top-10 at the moment: Verstappen, De Vries, Alonso, Hulkenberg, Sainz, Sargeant, Leclerc, Zhou, Piastri, Gasly
As for George Russell? Mercedes say it will be “highly unlikely” he will feature again this evening...
F1 testing LIVE: Here’s who driving in the afternoon!
15:14 , Kieran Jackson
Red Bull
Max Verstappen
Ferrari
Charles Leclerc
Mercedes
George Russell
Alpine
Pierre Gasly
McLaren
Oscar Piastri
Alfa Romeo
Zhou Guanyu (all day)
Aston Martin
Fernando Alonso (all day)
Haas
Nico Hulkenberg
AlphaTauri
Nyck de Vries
Williams
Logan Sargeant (all day)
F1 testing LIVE: RED FLAG!
14:57 , Kieran Jackson
Trouble at Mercedes! George Russell has stopped out on track!
Russell is out of the car. Replays show it looks like it could be a hydraulics issue, as he’s stuck in fourth gear - and then goes into anti-stall!
Dear oh dear! With only an hour-and-a-half left of the session, not much chance there’ll fix that before the end of the session!
The car is now being lifted onto a truck... what a nightmare day it’s turning out to be for the Silver Arrows after a poor performance from Lewis Hamilton this morning!
RED FLAG! 🚩 George Russell comes to a stop on track 😯 pic.twitter.com/9KEIj46HC8
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) February 24, 2023
F1 testing LIVE: George Russell backs himself to beat in-form Max Verstappen and claim F1 title
14:42 , Kieran Jackson
George Russell expects Max Verstappen will be the man to beat at next Sunday’s season-opening race – but the Englishman has not given up hope on being crowned champion of the world.
Verstappen and Red Bull dominated Formula One last season, and the reigning world champion has impressed at this week’s sole test in Bahrain ahead of the first race, also in the Gulf Kingdom.
Verstappen clocked the fastest time on the opening day, and sat on top of the time sheets after six hours of running on Friday. Mercedes are hoping to bounce back from an underwhelming campaign in which Russell, in an impressive debut year for the Silver Arrows, registered the team’s only win.
And the signs have been encouraging for Russell and team-mate Lewis Hamilton, with Mercedes eradicating the porpoising woes which scuppered their last campaign.
“I definitely head into the season believing I can [win the championship],” said Russell, 25. “At every point of my career I have gone in believing, but you need to take a rational view once you get to the track. We definitely believe that eventually we will have a car capable of getting into that fight.”
George Russell backs himself to beat in-form Verstappen and claim F1 title
F1 testing LIVE: Why testing takes on greater significance this year as new season dawns
14:29 , Kieran Jackson
By Kieran Jackson
Time to find your helmet, don your fireproof gloves and pack your bags. Because 95 days after we said goodbye to Daniel Ricciardo and Sebastian Vettel in Abu Dhabi, Formula 1 chugs back into life this weekend as the start of the 2023 season dawns. The car launch season, from the tempered-down to the over-the-top, has concluded and finally we will see cars on track with the first – and much-maligned only – official pre-season test of the season. Where? Bahrain. Also the location where, 11 days from now, motorsport’s greatest show goes racing once more.
Yet while an undertone of eager excitement will immerse fans the world over at the sight of fresh – or perhaps not so fresh – liveries at the Bahrain International Circuit, such delirium won’t be mirrored in the paddock. Rather, it’s back down to business. Tick off your checklist. Screw your nuts and bolts. Contrary to the zing in the air, a wave of apprehension will blow over the paddock and its personnel.
Testing is a strange phenomenon. On the whole, the timesheets are not said to be the priority. Instead, its tweaking set-ups. Trialling different parts. Attaching aero-rakes and dashes of green paint to analyse airflow. Some teams even swing the other way; sandbagging the car’s true performance to disguise their potential from their competitors.
That all being said, this three-day testing window does take on more significance than years gone by. Usually, the teams also come together in Barcelona for at minimum a shakedown. Or perhaps Jerez on the southern Spanish coast. This year though, with 2022’s drastic regulation changes only moderately tinkered with in the off-season – a slightly raised ride-height the most noteworthy change – drivers will only have a day-and-a-half of running to tune their cars appropriately and iron out any issues.
Three days in total and bang: we’re into the first Grand Prix weekend of 23. That’s the number of races, it should be said, not just the year.
Why F1 pre-season testing takes on greater significance this year
F1 testing LIVE: Carlos Sainz, speaking to F1 TV:
14:23 , Kieran Jackson
“Very smooth and quite happy. We’ve been exploring the limits of the setup and have been learning a lot from it - couldn’t do it last year but have this year.
“Feels like an evolution of last year, very similar. Trying to improve the good pace we have this year.”
F1 testing LIVE: BREAKING NEWS
14:12 , Kieran Jackson
Felipe Drugovich will appear in pre-season testing again for Aston Martin! The Formula 2 champion will drive for Aston tomorrow morning with Fernando Alonso - who has driven in both sessions today - taking to the wheel in the afternoon.
What do you read into that? Lance Stroll has injured his wrist in a bicycle accident, while team boss Mike Krack said today the team are evaluating the situation “day-by-day”.
Would there be a need to put Drugovich in the car though if Stroll was fine to drive next week at the season-opening Grand Prix? Interesting...
F1 testing LIVE: UPDATE
14:09 , Kieran Jackson
Just under two-and-a-half hours to go on day two of pre-season testing - and it’s deja vu in Bahrain!
Max Verstappen is dominant in the RB19 - he’s eight-tenths clear of second-place which is a new name at the upper echelon of the leaderboard... Nico Hulkenberg!
The German - who has replaced Mick Schumacher at Haas this season - is two-hundredths clear of Carlos Sainz’s time this morning, which sits third overall.
4-10 overall: Sargaent, Leclerc, Alonso, Zhou, Magnussen, Ocon, Gasly (bold denoted afternoon driver)
As for the Mercedes boys? 11th and 13th for Russell and Hamilton respectively...
F1 testing LIVE: Here’s who driving in the afternoon!
13:59 , Kieran Jackson
Red Bull
Max Verstappen
Ferrari
Charles Leclerc
Mercedes
George Russell
Alpine
Pierre Gasly
McLaren
Oscar Piastri
Alfa Romeo
Zhou Guanyu (all day)
Aston Martin
Fernando Alonso
Haas
Nico Hulkenberg
AlphaTauri
Nyck de Vries
Williams
Logan Sargeant (all day)
F1 testing LIVE: Lewis Hamilton has a Mercedes ready to win world championship again, says Toto Wolff
13:41 , Kieran Jackson
Toto Wolff has sent out a defiant message by declaring Mercedes are ready to carry Lewis Hamilton to a record eighth world championship.
In stark contrast to the doom and gloom which last year engulfed the Silver Arrows as their jumpy machine hit the track for the first time, team principal Wolff painted a rosier picture 12 months on.
Porpoising – the phenomenon where a car bounces up and down on its suspension – contributed to, statistically at least, Hamilton’s worst season in Formula One.
But a new FIA directive to raise the floor edges of this season’s cars by 15mm to mitigate the problem has removed the thorn in Mercedes’ side.
And although it was double world champion Max Verstappen who picked up where he left of by posting the fastest time in the first test session on day one of three in Bahrain – 1.2 seconds clear of George Russell in the all-black Mercedes – Wolff hinted that his team is primed to challenge.
Toto Wolff: Lewis Hamilton has a Mercedes ready to win world championship again
F1 testing LIVE: Verstappen goes even faster...
13:22 , Kieran Jackson
He beats his own time by two-tenths - the Red Bull star is now eight-tenths quicker than Carlos Sainz’s time this morning!
Blimey is he dialled in! However, he’s now going to pit as he’s feeling something loose in the cockpit...
F1 testing LIVE: Verstappen on top!
13:09 , Kieran Jackson
In what is his final session of pre-season testing, Max Verstappen storms to the top of the leaderboard with a 1:31.863!
The reigning world champion - who was quickest on Thursday - has gone six-tenths quicker than Carlos Sainz’s time this morning, with a 1:32:789.
Out of the afternoon runners, Charles Leclerc is the second-fastest!
Drive to Survive: Season 5 REVIEW - OUT NOW!
12:44 , Kieran Jackson
Time to find your helmet, don your fireproof gloves and pack your bags. Because 95 days after we said goodbye to Daniel Ricciardo and Sebastian Vettel in Abu Dhabi, Formula 1 chugs back into life this weekend as the start of the 2023 season dawns. The car launch season, from the tempered-down to the over-the-top, has concluded and finally we will see cars on track with the first – and much-maligned only – official pre-season test of the season. Where? Bahrain. Also the location where, 11 days from now, motorsport’s greatest show goes racing once more.
Yet while an undertone of eager excitement will immerse fans the world over at the sight of fresh – or perhaps not so fresh – liveries at the Bahrain International Circuit, such delirium won’t be mirrored in the paddock. Rather, it’s back down to business. Tick off your checklist. Screw your nuts and bolts. Contrary to the zing in the air, a wave of apprehension will blow over the paddock and its personnel.
Testing is a strange phenomenon. On the whole, the timesheets are not said to be the priority. Instead, its tweaking set-ups. Trialling different parts. Attaching aero-rakes and dashes of green paint to analyse airflow. Some teams even swing the other way; sandbagging the car’s true performance to disguise their potential from their competitors.
That all being said, this three-day testing window does take on more significance than years gone by. Usually, the teams also come together in Barcelona for at minimum a shakedown. Or perhaps Jerez on the southern Spanish coast. This year though, with 2022’s drastic regulation changes only moderately tinkered with in the off-season – a slightly raised ride-height the most noteworthy change – drivers will only have a day-and-a-half of running to tune their cars appropriately and iron out any issues.
Three days in total and bang: we’re into the first Grand Prix weekend of 23. That’s the number of races, it should be said, not just the year.
Drive to Survive: Wolff rages at Horner in foul-mouthed flashpoint of season 5
F1 testing LIVE: Here’s who driving in the afternoon!
12:22 , Kieran Jackson
Red Bull
Max Verstappen
Ferrari
Charles Leclerc
Mercedes
George Russell
Alpine
Pierre Gasly
McLaren
Oscar Piastri
Alfa Romeo
Zhou Guanyu (all day)
Aston Martin
Fernando Alonso
Haas
Nico Hulkenberg
AlphaTauri
Nyck de Vries
Williams
Logan Sargeant (all day)
F1 testing LIVE: Afternoon session!
12:15 , Kieran Jackson
We’re now underway with the afternoon session on day two of pre-season testing!
4 hours and 15 minutes under the sun in Bahrain!
F1 testing LIVE: Why testing takes on greater significance this year as new season dawns
11:59 , Kieran Jackson
By Kieran Jackson
Time to find your helmet, don your fireproof gloves and pack your bags. Because 95 days after we said goodbye to Daniel Ricciardo and Sebastian Vettel in Abu Dhabi, Formula 1 chugs back into life this weekend as the start of the 2023 season dawns. The car launch season, from the tempered-down to the over-the-top, has concluded and finally we will see cars on track with the first – and much-maligned only – official pre-season test of the season. Where? Bahrain. Also the location where, 11 days from now, motorsport’s greatest show goes racing once more.
Yet while an undertone of eager excitement will immerse fans the world over at the sight of fresh – or perhaps not so fresh – liveries at the Bahrain International Circuit, such delirium won’t be mirrored in the paddock. Rather, it’s back down to business. Tick off your checklist. Screw your nuts and bolts. Contrary to the zing in the air, a wave of apprehension will blow over the paddock and its personnel.
Testing is a strange phenomenon. On the whole, the timesheets are not said to be the priority. Instead, its tweaking set-ups. Trialling different parts. Attaching aero-rakes and dashes of green paint to analyse airflow. Some teams even swing the other way; sandbagging the car’s true performance to disguise their potential from their competitors.
That all being said, this three-day testing window does take on more significance than years gone by. Usually, the teams also come together in Barcelona for at minimum a shakedown. Or perhaps Jerez on the southern Spanish coast. This year though, with 2022’s drastic regulation changes only moderately tinkered with in the off-season – a slightly raised ride-height the most noteworthy change – drivers will only have a day-and-a-half of running to tune their cars appropriately and iron out any issues.
Three days in total and bang: we’re into the first Grand Prix weekend of 23. That’s the number of races, it should be said, not just the year.
Why F1 pre-season testing takes on greater significance this year
F1 testing LIVE: MORNING CLASSIFICATION
11:52 , Kieran Jackson
Here’s what we saw this morning!
We're officially half-way through #F1Testing 🙌
Here's our running order from our early session on Day 2 👇#F1 pic.twitter.com/DhkD8TyC4R— Formula 1 (@F1) February 24, 2023
F1 testing LIVE: Lewis Hamilton has a Mercedes ready to win world championship again, says Toto Wolff
11:38 , Kieran Jackson
Toto Wolff has sent out a defiant message by declaring Mercedes are ready to carry Lewis Hamilton to a record eighth world championship.
In stark contrast to the doom and gloom which last year engulfed the Silver Arrows as their jumpy machine hit the track for the first time, team principal Wolff painted a rosier picture 12 months on.
Porpoising – the phenomenon where a car bounces up and down on its suspension – contributed to, statistically at least, Hamilton’s worst season in Formula One.
But a new FIA directive to raise the floor edges of this season’s cars by 15mm to mitigate the problem has removed the thorn in Mercedes’ side.
And although it was double world champion Max Verstappen who picked up where he left of by posting the fastest time in the first test session on day one of three in Bahrain – 1.2 seconds clear of George Russell in the all-black Mercedes – Wolff hinted that his team is primed to challenge.
Toto Wolff: Lewis Hamilton has a Mercedes ready to win world championship again
F1 testing LIVE: SESSION COMPLETE
11:23 , Kieran Jackson
That’s the end of the morning session!
Carlos Sainz was the quickest man on track, with a 1:32:486. Williams’ Logan Sargeant was 0.063 seconds slower in second, with Fernando Alonso in third, four-tenths off.
Tricky session for Lewis Hamilton, as he struggled for grip and control of the car. He was eighth-fastest.
4-10: Zhou, Magnussen, Ocon, Perez, Hamilton, Norris, Tsunoda
F1 testing LIVE: Practice starts!
11:17 , Kieran Jackson
Quite an amusing conclusion to the session in Bahrain!
All the drivers lined up on the grid for a practice start - lights out and all - but Lando Norris in “third” didn’t move at all! Sainz and Hamilton behind him were forced to put on the brakes!
Immediate red flag too at the end, only for FIA systems testing!
Could have been quite dangerous that - imagine if Sainz had gone straight into Lando!
F1 testing LIVE: Toto Wolff, speaking to Sky F1:
10:55 , Kieran Jackson
“The car is out of balance this morning. We’re leaving black marks on acceleration. We didn’t find the right setup, that’s part of the learning. The car is not giving Lewis enough grip.
“They are fast. No surprise there. Very difficult to jude at the moment, people playing around with fuel loads. We’re still hiding a little bit!
“It’s a feeling of excitement. We got it wrong last year; but we want to target a world championship - and have to stay humble! The porpoising has gone essentially!”
F1 testing LIVE: 30 mins left
10:46 , Kieran Jackson
Wow, who saw this coming?! Logan Sargeant, on just his second day of driving an F1 car in official FIA conditions, has put his Williams second on the grid!
The American is 0.482 seconds off Carlos Sainz, though he has set it with the softest tyre available - which won’t be used next week in the race.
Meanwhile, Lando Norris is struggling to get a handle on his McLaren, almost losing the rear on the final corner of the lap. Much like Hamilton, he is low down the order in ninth at the moment.
With 30 mins to go, 1-10: Sainz, Sargeant, Alonso, Zhou, Magnussen, Ocon, Perez, Hamilton, Norris, Tsunoda
Logan Sargeant puts it P2 💥 pic.twitter.com/jRoYCUEIB5
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) February 24, 2023
F1 testing LIVE: Haas identify unusual way of making huge saving to beat cost cap
10:37 , Kieran Jackson
The Haas Formula One team reckon they will save $250,000 (£208,000) in freight costs this season after slimming their pitwall perch down to a three-seater.
The U.S.-owned outfit’s new seating arrangement caught the eye among all of the attention on the 2023 cars testing in Bahrain. Instead of the usual six or more seats in a row for key team members in front of a bank of timing screens under a canopy, the Haas setup features a modest three.
Team boss Guenther Steiner, a fan favourite for his straight-speaking approach to the Netflix series ‘Drive to Survive’, said he would have no problem watching from the back of the garage if necessary.
“You have six people out there or a quarter of a million on car updates?,” the Italian told reporters. “The guys came up with that idea. With three seats we can cover what we need to cover and we rearrange. It’s mainly a saving to put that money into development because we are at the cost cap.”
Haas identify unusual way of making huge saving to beat cost cap
F1 testing LIVE: UPDATE
10:21 , Kieran Jackson
We have less than an hour to go in the morning session - and Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes is struggling to get any higher than his current position of eighth on the leaderboard. Mercedes look to be going through some specific programming in testing, though he has just set his personal best; 1.4 seconds off Carlos Sainz, who is still on top.
It’s a top-five of: Sainz, Alonso, Zhou, Sargeant, Magnussen
Meanwhile, Ted Kravitz is having a good nose around the Mercedes garage - and their chassis preparations for car No 2 ahead of next week’s season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix! A lot of work going on behind the scenes away from the testing programme too...
Drive to Survive: Season 5 REVIEW - OUT NOW!
10:10 , Kieran Jackson
Time to find your helmet, don your fireproof gloves and pack your bags. Because 95 days after we said goodbye to Daniel Ricciardo and Sebastian Vettel in Abu Dhabi, Formula 1 chugs back into life this weekend as the start of the 2023 season dawns. The car launch season, from the tempered-down to the over-the-top, has concluded and finally we will see cars on track with the first – and much-maligned only – official pre-season test of the season. Where? Bahrain. Also the location where, 11 days from now, motorsport’s greatest show goes racing once more.
Yet while an undertone of eager excitement will immerse fans the world over at the sight of fresh – or perhaps not so fresh – liveries at the Bahrain International Circuit, such delirium won’t be mirrored in the paddock. Rather, it’s back down to business. Tick off your checklist. Screw your nuts and bolts. Contrary to the zing in the air, a wave of apprehension will blow over the paddock and its personnel.
Testing is a strange phenomenon. On the whole, the timesheets are not said to be the priority. Instead, its tweaking set-ups. Trialling different parts. Attaching aero-rakes and dashes of green paint to analyse airflow. Some teams even swing the other way; sandbagging the car’s true performance to disguise their potential from their competitors.
That all being said, this three-day testing window does take on more significance than years gone by. Usually, the teams also come together in Barcelona for at minimum a shakedown. Or perhaps Jerez on the southern Spanish coast. This year though, with 2022’s drastic regulation changes only moderately tinkered with in the off-season – a slightly raised ride-height the most noteworthy change – drivers will only have a day-and-a-half of running to tune their cars appropriately and iron out any issues.
Three days in total and bang: we’re into the first Grand Prix weekend of 23. That’s the number of races, it should be said, not just the year.
Drive to Survive: Wolff rages at Horner in foul-mouthed flashpoint of season 5
F1 testing LIVE: UPDATE
09:54 , Kieran Jackson
Around 90 minutes left in the morning session in Bahrain and Carlos Sainz is still top of the leaderboard, though Fernando Alonso has now gone second - 0.483 seconds off the pace.
3-10: Zahou, Magnussen, Ocon, Perez, Sargeant, Hamilton, Norris, Tsunoda
Tsunoda has barely left the car - he’s already completed over 60 laps!
F1 testing LIVE: Who’s driving this morning?
09:30 , Kieran Jackson
The driver line-up for this first session of the day is as follows!
RED BULL
Sergio Perez
FERRARI
Carlos Sainz
MERCEDES
Lewis Hamilton
ALPINE
Esteban Ocon
McLAREN
Lando Norris
ALFA ROMEO
Zhou Guanyu
ASTON MARTIN
Fernando Alonso
ALPHATAURI
Yuki Tsunoda
HAAS
Kevin Magnussen
WILLIAMS
Logan Sargeant
F1 testing LIVE: LEADERBOARD UPDATE
09:05 , Kieran Jackson
Carlos Sainz remains on top but has gone two-tenths quicker than his previous time. The time to beat: 1:32:486. Fascinatingly, Sainz has completed the least amount of laps, though that’s still 25!
Currently in second is Zhou Guanyu in the Alfa Romeo - six-tenths off the Ferrari - with Fernando Alonso third in his Aston Martin.
A potential issue for Mercedes? A lot of work being done on the floor of the car, with Lewis Hamilton situated in the garage. He’s currently seventh on the timesheet, two seconds off Sainz.
The bigger story is the Alfa Romeo and AlphaTauri is bouncing a fair bit by the end of the home straight, looks quite uncomfortable! Porpoising doesn’t look to have been completely eradicated despite the raised ride height!
F1 testing LIVE: Why testing takes on greater significance this year as new season dawns
08:44 , Kieran Jackson
By Kieran Jackson
Time to find your helmet, don your fireproof gloves and pack your bags. Because 95 days after we said goodbye to Daniel Ricciardo and Sebastian Vettel in Abu Dhabi, Formula 1 chugs back into life this weekend as the start of the 2023 season dawns. The car launch season, from the tempered-down to the over-the-top, has concluded and finally we will see cars on track with the first – and much-maligned only – official pre-season test of the season. Where? Bahrain. Also the location where, 11 days from now, motorsport’s greatest show goes racing once more.
Yet while an undertone of eager excitement will immerse fans the world over at the sight of fresh – or perhaps not so fresh – liveries at the Bahrain International Circuit, such delirium won’t be mirrored in the paddock. Rather, it’s back down to business. Tick off your checklist. Screw your nuts and bolts. Contrary to the zing in the air, a wave of apprehension will blow over the paddock and its personnel.
Testing is a strange phenomenon. On the whole, the timesheets are not said to be the priority. Instead, its tweaking set-ups. Trialling different parts. Attaching aero-rakes and dashes of green paint to analyse airflow. Some teams even swing the other way; sandbagging the car’s true performance to disguise their potential from their competitors.
That all being said, this three-day testing window does take on more significance than years gone by. Usually, the teams also come together in Barcelona for at minimum a shakedown. Or perhaps Jerez on the southern Spanish coast. This year though, with 2022’s drastic regulation changes only moderately tinkered with in the off-season – a slightly raised ride-height the most noteworthy change – drivers will only have a day-and-a-half of running to tune their cars appropriately and iron out any issues.
Three days in total and bang: we’re into the first Grand Prix weekend of 23. That’s the number of races, it should be said, not just the year.
Why F1 pre-season testing takes on greater significance this year
F1 testing LIVE: Hello Checo!
08:40 , Kieran Jackson
Sergio Perez is in the RB19 this morning, his first action in Bahrain during testing!
F1 testing LIVE: Who’s driving this morning?
08:28 , Kieran Jackson
The driver line-up for this first session of the day is as follows!
RED BULL
Sergio Perez
FERRARI
Carlos Sainz
MERCEDES
Lewis Hamilton
ALPINE
Esteban Ocon
McLAREN
Lando Norris
ALFA ROMEO
Zhou Guanyu
ASTON MARTIN
Fernando Alonso
ALPHATAURI
Yuki Tsunoda
HAAS
Kevin Magnussen
WILLIAMS
Logan Sargeant
F1 testing LIVE: UPDATE
08:19 , Kieran Jackson
There’s three hours left in the morning session in Bahrain - and we have a new name at the top of the leaderboard in Carlos Sainz!
The Spaniard has set a time of 1:32:653 in his Ferrari with Fernando Alonso six-tenths off the pace in second. Kevin Magnussen is in third.
After one hour and 15 minutes of running, positions 4-10 : Perez, Zhou, Ocon, Sargeant, Norris, Hamilton, Tsunoda
Interestingly Yuki Tsunoda - currently last out of all the morning drivers in terms of lap time - has done the most laps, 20 so far.
Drive to Survive: Season 5 REVIEW - OUT AT 8AM (GMT)!
07:58 , Kieran Jackson
Time to find your helmet, don your fireproof gloves and pack your bags. Because 95 days after we said goodbye to Daniel Ricciardo and Sebastian Vettel in Abu Dhabi, Formula 1 chugs back into life this weekend as the start of the 2023 season dawns. The car launch season, from the tempered-down to the over-the-top, has concluded and finally we will see cars on track with the first – and much-maligned only – official pre-season test of the season. Where? Bahrain. Also the location where, 11 days from now, motorsport’s greatest show goes racing once more.
Yet while an undertone of eager excitement will immerse fans the world over at the sight of fresh – or perhaps not so fresh – liveries at the Bahrain International Circuit, such delirium won’t be mirrored in the paddock. Rather, it’s back down to business. Tick off your checklist. Screw your nuts and bolts. Contrary to the zing in the air, a wave of apprehension will blow over the paddock and its personnel.
Testing is a strange phenomenon. On the whole, the timesheets are not said to be the priority. Instead, its tweaking set-ups. Trialling different parts. Attaching aero-rakes and dashes of green paint to analyse airflow. Some teams even swing the other way; sandbagging the car’s true performance to disguise their potential from their competitors.
That all being said, this three-day testing window does take on more significance than years gone by. Usually, the teams also come together in Barcelona for at minimum a shakedown. Or perhaps Jerez on the southern Spanish coast. This year though, with 2022’s drastic regulation changes only moderately tinkered with in the off-season – a slightly raised ride-height the most noteworthy change – drivers will only have a day-and-a-half of running to tune their cars appropriately and iron out any issues.
Three days in total and bang: we’re into the first Grand Prix weekend of 23. That’s the number of races, it should be said, not just the year.
Drive to Survive: Wolff rages at Horner in foul-mouthed flashpoint of season 5
F1 testing LIVE: 45 mins in...
07:44 , Kieran Jackson
Kevin Magnussen, for Haas, is the early pace-setter in Bahrain this morning, topping the timesheets 1.837 seconds ahead of second-placed Carlos Sainz.
Fernando Alonso is positioned in third, while Lewis Hamilton is fourth-fastest.
We’re nowhere near the competitive lap times however...
F1 testing LIVE: Who’s driving this morning?
07:29 , Kieran Jackson
The driver line-up for this first session of the day is as follows!
RED BULL
Sergio Perez
FERRARI
Carlos Sainz
MERCEDES
Lewis Hamilton
ALPINE
Esteban Ocon
McLAREN
Lando Norris
ALFA ROMEO
Zhou Guanyu
ASTON MARTIN
Fernando Alonso
ALPHATAURI
Yuki Tsunoda
HAAS
Kevin Magnussen
WILLIAMS
Logan Sargeant
F1 testing LIVE: DAY ONE REPORT!
07:20 , Kieran Jackson
Max Verstappen picked up where he left off by posting the fastest time on day one of three at pre-season testing in Bahrain – 0.671 seconds clear of Lewis Hamilton in the all-black Mercedes.
George Russell, who won Mercedes’ sole race of last season in an impressive debut campaign for the Silver Arrows, finished 1.2 seconds adrift of Verstappen before Hamilton took over after lunch, completing 83 laps.
As day turned to night in Bahrain, Fernando Alonso moved into second for new team Aston Martin – just 0.029 seconds behind Verstappen, who completed 157 laps, with Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc third and fourth respectively for Ferrari.
Lando Norris took fifth for McLaren, one place ahead of Hamilton.
Felipe Drugovich, who deputised for Lance Stroll with the Canadian a doubt for next weekend’s race following a wrist injury sustained in a recent road bike accident, broke down early on in his Aston Martin.
The reigning Formula Two champion suffered an electronic failure but he returned to the track to complete 40 laps.
Meanwhile, speaking to the press in Bahrain on Thursday, Toto Wolff sent out a defiant message by declaring Mercedes are ready to carry Hamilton to a record eighth world championship.
F1 testing: Max Verstappen tops timesheets on day one in Bahrain
F1 testing LIVE: Good morning!
07:15 , Kieran Jackson
Welcome to day two of The Independent’s coverage of pre-season testing in Bahrain.
Ten cars are already out on track at the Bahrain International Circuit - and after a full day of running yesterday, Max Verstappen is back out this afternoon for his final session of this testing window! This morning, Sergio Perez takes his place, with Lewis Hamilton also out on track.
The reigning world champion topped the timesheets yesterday, with Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso in second and Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz in third.
This opening session takes place until around 11:15am (GMT), before an hour lunch break and then another 4 hours and 15 minute session!
