The Bahrain International Circuit looked like a beach rather than a Formula One circuit as the 2021 cars took to the track for the first time. But despite an early spin, it was Max Verstappen who set the fastest time, on a 1.30.674, completing 138 laps throughout the day. The most out of any team. It was a good start for Red Bull.
The same could not be said for Mercedes though, they completed the fewest laps out of anyone with 48 laps. This was partially due to Valtteri Bottas being stuck in the garage for the majority of the morning session, ending bottom of the classified drivers. Whilst Lewis Hamilton could not dial his car in on the sandy surface in the afternoon session, and set the tenth fastest time.
It was a good day at the office for McLaren. The switch to Mercedes power appears to have been seamless as the engine ran reliably throughout the day. Both drivers split today’s running, with Lando Norris setting the second fastest time, and Daniel Ricciardo ending the day seventh, looking at home in his new colours.
Esteban Ocon was on duty all day for Alpine, completing 128 laps, and in the end setting the third fastest time with a solid lap towards the end of the day.
It wasn’t a smooth day for Aston Martin, with Sebastian Vettel having an issue at the end of the morning session, and ending the day thirteenth fastest. But Lance Stroll had a good afternoon session when he took over, and set the fourth fastest time.
The Ferrari already looked to be handling better than its predecessor. Charles Leclerc ran in the morning and set the eleventh fastest time, with Ferrari newcomer Carlos Sainz finishing fifth in the afternoon session. An improved engine for Ferrari could also aid Alfa Romeo as well. Kimi Raikkonen was first out on track and ended the session twelfth, whilst Antonio Giovinazzi set the sixth fastest time.
Red Bull’s sister team AlphaTauri were happy with their day’s running. Pierre Gasly had a good run in the morning session and set the eighth fastest time, whilst Yuki Tsunoda acquitted himself well in his first official Formula One test session, ending ninth, half a tenth behind his team-mate.
Williams test driver Roy Nissany had the Williams to himself today, and did a solid job, completing 83 laps and setting the fourteenth fastest time. Many are expecting them to move ahead of Haas in the pecking order. They had a mediocre day, as Mick Schumacher had an issue which left him garage bound for much of the morning session. Nikita Mazepin took over in the afternoon and was able to complete 69 laps, but both drivers languished in fifteenth and sixteenth on the timesheets.
Here is the full classification of the first day of testing in Bahrain! (Image credit to FOM)
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