Preseason testing gets underway in Bahrain - ESPN

2:13 AM ET

• Laurence Edmondson

  Close

  F1 Editor

  • Joined ESPN in 2009
  • An FIA accredited F1 journalist since 2011
  

• Nate Saunders

  Close

  F1 Associate Editor

  • Previously worked in rugby union and British Superbikes
  • History graduate from Reading University
  • Joined ESPNF1 in February 2014
  

Follow this page for updates during the day of all the news and developments from the first of three days of testing in Bahrain.

• All ten teams are present for what is expected to be a busy three days and the only chance to test the cars with Pirelli's new tyres ahead of the first race in two weeks' time.

• Mercedes recorded just one lap in the first three hours and 20 minutes of the session after a gearshift issue forced the team to replace the car's gearbox. The broken transmission will now be analysed to understand the cause of the problem.

• Charles Leclerc caused the only red flag of the morning session when his Ferrari stopped on track at Turn 4 with ten minutes remaining in the morning session.

• Haas also made a gearbox change following a hydraulic issue, limiting Mick Schumacher's mileage on his debut with the team.

• Max Verstappen spun in his Red Bull at Turn 2 early in the session but escaped any damage.

• McLaren's Daniel Ricciardo held the fastest time after the first three hours of testing with a 1:32.203, just 0.028s clear of Alpha Tauri's Pierre Gasly in second place.

• Reports of a sandstorm approaching the track could limit running later on and high winds mean track conditions are not ideal.

Max Verstappen locks a wheel during the first hour of testing in Bahrain. Joe Portlock/Getty Images

Morning session times:
1. Ricciardo, McLaren, 1:32.203, 45 laps
2. Gasly, Alpha Tauri, 1:32.231, 74 laps
3. Verstappen, Red Bull, 1:32.245, 60 laps
4. Ocon, Alpine, 1:32.959, 55 laps
5. Leclerc, Ferrari, 1:33.242, 59 laps
6. Raikkonen, Alfa Romeo, 1:33.320, 63 laps
7. Vettel, Aston Martin, 1:33.742, 51 laps
8. Nissany, Williams, 1:34.789, 39 laps
9. Schumacher, Haas, 1:36.127, 15 laps
10. Bottas, Mercedes, 1:36.850, 6 laps

For a full guide of what to expect from testing this year, click here.

Sebastian Vettel hits the track in the new Aston Martin. Joe Portlock/Getty Images

Below is the full list of drivers taking part in testing today.

Alfa Romeo Racing: Kimi Raikkonen (AM) Antonio Giovinazzi (PM)
AlphaTauri: Pierre Gasly (AM) Yuki Tsunoda (PM)
Alpine: Esteban Ocon
Aston Martin: Sebastian Vettel (AM) Lance Stroll (PM)
Ferrari: Charles Leclerc (AM) Carlos Sainz (PM)
Haas: Mick Schumacher (AM) Nikita Mazepin (PM)
McLaren: Daniel Ricciardo (AM) Lando Norris (PM)
Mercedes: Valtteri Bottas (AM) Lewis Hamilton (PM)
Red Bull Racing: Max Verstappen
Williams Racing: Roy Nissany

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiU2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmVzcG4uY29tL2YxL3N0b3J5L18vaWQvMzEwNDg3NDUvcHJlc2Vhc29uLXRlc3RpbmctZ2V0cy11bmRlcndheS1iYWhyYWlu0gFgaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZXNwbi5jb20vZjEvc3RvcnkvXy9pZC8zMTA0ODc0NS9wcmVzZWFzb24tdGVzdGluZy1nZXRzLXVuZGVyd2F5LWJhaHJhaW4_cGxhdGZvcm09YW1w?oc=5

2021-03-12 09:05:27Z