Final pre-season test moves into one session as Sainz tops timesheet

Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz has topped the timing boards, of the morning runs, as Formula One combined the morning and afternoon sessions after a loose drain cover impacted running. 

At the time of writing, the cars remain out on the circuit. This is a result of a loose drain cover which made a bid for freedom at turn 11, at the Bahrain International Circuit, as such the sport combined the final two tests into one. 

Red Bull’s Sergio Perez was the driver who brought up the drain cover at turn 11 as he ventured around the circuit. This brought out the red flag as track repairs commenced. 

After an hour’s stop in testing, the cars were back out on track with seven hours on the clock.

Whilst the cars rotated around the Bahrain track, Sainz stood as the fastest driver out there with a 1:31.247. Perez and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton occupied second and third fastest with the latter on the softer compound.

Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) and Lando Norris (McLaren) occupied fourth and fifth respectively, within a second of Sainz’s time. However, the McLaren had the least amount of laps under his belt of anyone, at the time of writing, with 20 laps completed. 

It was suspected to be a clutch issue which hampered Norris’ test.

Williams’ Alexander Albon was the first driver, down in sixth, to be over a second off Sainz’s time as the London-born Thai sat 1.3s off the pace. Albon did not drive the car at all yesterday and will get the full day to himself with the FW46.  

Kevin Magnussen (Haas), Esteban Ocon (Alpine) and Valtteri Bottas (Stake) obtained seventh, eighth and ninth fastest respectively. 

RB’s Daniel Ricciardo sat as the slowest driver out on track but it was clear the Australian was only putting in mileage, he sat 5.7s off Sainz’s best time. 

As the test continues, follow our live coverage here.

That’s all for the article; Final pre-season test moves into one session as Sainz tops timesheet!

Read more Formula 1 here:

• Sainz on top as Day 2 of F1 2024 testing comes to close
• Drain cover brings end to F1 Morning Test on Day 2
• Who fared better on the first day of 2024 F1 testing
• Verstappen fastest in first day of 2024 F1 pre-season test
• Verstappen tops first session of F1 pre-season test
• What are the basics ahead of the 2024 F1 pre-season test

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Kamron Kent

Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.

I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.

Kamron Kent

Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.