Bahrain 2021 pre-season testing

17h

Thank you for following us and see you tomorrow at 8:00 a.m. for the second day of pre-season and eight new hours of riding!

16h

It's the end of this first day of pre-season testing. Max Verstappen set the best time of the day ahead of Lando Norris and Esteban Ocon!

16h

Virtual safety car deployed with less than five minutes to go

16h

1'31″919 for Sainz who moves up to 5th position

16h

Finally a good time for Lance Stroll. The Canadian rode 1'31″782 and is 4th, 1″1 behind Max Verstappen

16h

“On the first lap (of the day), we realized that there was a problem with the gearbox. We were only able to complete a few laps at the end and there was a red flag. It wasn't ideal. Reliability has been our strength in recent years. I hope we can make up for lost time.” Valtteri Bottas sums up his morning session. 

16h

The ranking 25 minutes from time:

 

16h

Back on track, Norris moved up to 2nd place thanks to a time of 1'30″889, 2 tenths behind Verstappen

16h

Only 30 minutes left before the checkered flag

16h

It's very quiet on the Sakhir side. The drivers at the forefront returned to their garage. Only Nissany and Stroll remain on the track

16h

Verstappen on the attack. He considerably improves his time. The Red Bull driver clocked 1'30″674, 738 faster than his previous time. He is the first to go under 1'31

16h

The drivers gradually return to the track. Verstappen, Sainz, Hamilton and Stroll joined Giovinazzi and Mazepin

15h

Only an hour left before the end of the first day of testing. No changes in mind. Verstappen dominates the debates ahead of Ocon and Norris. Currently on track for a long relay, Giovinazzi is 5th followed by Ricciardo, author of the best time this morning.

The Alpha Tauri follow one another with Gasly 6th just ahead of Tsunoda. Sainz, Hamilton and Leclerc complete the Top 10.

15h

The session calms down. Only Giovinazzi (4th) and Mazepin (14th) are on the track

15h

We take care of what we can at Haas:

15h

And there you have it, improvement for Ocon who signs the 2nd time thanks to the soft tires. 1'31″626 for the driver alpine 214 thousandths from Verstappen

15h

Esteban Ocon is putting on soft tires for the first time. The Frenchman is surely on a quick stint 

15h

Visibly more comfortable, Hamilton sets the 9th provisional time in 1'32″912

15h

While waiting for Lewis Hamilton's times to improve, the Mercedes CM has fun with the sand on the playlist:

15h

Giovinazzi continues his progress. The Italian is now 3rd, 5 tenths behind Verstappen

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