Sainz Tops Day Two of F1 Preseason Testing in Bahrain

Sakhir, Bahrain – Carlos Sainz set the fastest lap during the second day of Formula 1’s preseason testing at the Bahrain International Circuit, clocking in at 1:29.348. The Williams driver edged out Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, finishing just 0.031 seconds ahead of Hamilton’s morning time.

Testing on Thursday featured numerous driver changes, with teams aiming to simulate both qualifying and race conditions before the season opener in Australia on March 14. Sainz’s performance marked his final day in the car before his teammate takes over for the last day of testing on Friday.

Hamilton led the morning practice for Ferrari, but after completing his stint, he transferred the car to Leclerc for the afternoon session. Leclerc managed to secure a solid third-place finish despite a few on-track incidents. “That was a productive day despite the spin. We’re working on getting the car dialed in for Melbourne,” Leclerc said.

Mercedes drivers George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli claimed fourth and fifth places, respectively, with only 0.006 seconds separating them. Russell expressed cautious optimism regarding the team’s performance: “The car feels good, but we won’t know where we really stand until we hit the track in a competitive setting.”

The day was not without its challenges, as Red Bull’s Liam Lawson encountered water pressure issues, limiting his track time significantly. “We lost some valuable minutes in the morning, but the team worked hard to get the car back on track,” Lawson explained. He finished seventh overall, completing 91 laps.

Amidst varying conditions, light rain disrupted some runs but didn’t halt testing entirely. Haas’ Esteban Ocon utilized intermediate tires during the drizzles, showcasing adaptability among teams. “We’re trying to gather as much data as possible ahead of the season,” Ocon noted.

A minor collision occurred when Oscar Piastri of McLaren tapped the rear of Nico Hulkenberg‘s Sauber, resulting in minimal damage. Both drivers continued without substantial interruption.

As teams prepare for the final day of testing, Williams team principal James Vowles advised caution in interpreting the results. “The differences in fuel loads and tire compound strategies can mask the true pace of the cars. We’ll get a clearer picture in Melbourne,” Vowles said.

The third and final day of preseason testing will commence tomorrow, promising further action as teams finalize their preparations for the upcoming season.