Feb 22, 2024 at 5:13 PM Update: 2 days ago
Carlos Sainz finished the second Formula 1 test day fastest in Bahrain on Thursday. The Ferrari driver did this with a total of 84 laps on the clock. Max Verstappen was watching, his Red Bull teammate Sergio Pérez was in the car.
With 2.5 hours left on the clock, Sainz drove a 1.29.921 on the Bahrain International Circuit. This ultimately made him just under eight-tenths faster than Pérez. The Mexican drove 129 laps throughout the day, 14 fewer than Verstappen did on Wednesday.
Lewis Hamilton was in the Mercedes for the first time during the test days. The seven-time world champion completed 123 laps, one of which at 1.31.066 was more than a second slower than Sainz. But during the winter tests, times do not mean much, because they are often clocked with different amounts of fuel, with different tires and under different conditions.
Verstappen had to give up his Red Bull to his teammate Pérez during the morning session. The Mexican only completed twenty laps, partly due to a small fire near his left front brake. In the followingnoon, Red Bull decided to let him sit and use Verstappen once more on Friday followingnoon.
Morning session shortened due to loose schedule
The morning session largely fell through. Because a drain grid had come loose from the curbstone, the session was canceled following two hours and twenty minutes. The grille had come loose at the end of the straight at the beginning of Turn 11.
After inspection, the track turned out to be so damaged that it might no longer be repaired in time. Charles Leclerc drove over it with his Ferrari, causing the floor under the car to have to be replaced.
The second Formula 1 test day in Bahrain was canceled on Thursday following more than two hours. Photo: NU.nl/Joost Nederpelt
Teams prepare for the new season in Bahrain
Until the red flag that signaled the followingnoon session, there had been no incidents at the Bahrain International Circuit. Leclerc had the fastest time with 1.31.750.
The three-day winter test started on Wednesday and will last until Friday. Verstappen played all day on Wednesday and made a strong impression.
During the winter tests, the Formula 1 teams prepare for the new season that starts next Saturday in Bahrain. Verstappen hopes to become world champion for the fourth consecutive time this year.
Follow the test days in Bahrain via our live blog
