During this first day of three days of Formula 1 preseason testing in Bahrain, Max Verstappen and Red Bull were the protagonists at the Sakhir International Circuit. These tests are a showcase of what each team has prepared during the recess, and Verstappen did not miss the opportunity to leave a good first impression.
The day was centered on testing and adjusting, with teams and drivers tuning their machines for the upcoming season. Verstappen, at the helm of his Red Bull RB20, completed an impressive 142 laps, demonstrating not only speed but also the reliability of his vehicle. His best time, a solid 1m31.662s.
The atmosphere in Bahrain was one of analysis, with each team exploring the limits of their new developments. Lando Norris of McLaren showed significant progress compared to last year, placing himself in a promising second position, 1.1s behind Verstappen. This performance by Norris suggests that McLaren could be closing the gap with the leaders.
Carlos Sainz of Ferrari also put in a notable performance, placing his SF-24 just behind Norris. The closeness in times between the top three presages a potentially tight and exciting season.
Daniel Ricciardo and Charles Leclerc, though with fewer laps, also stood out, pointing to a season where every detail and every tenth of a second will count. In this scenario, strategy and precision will be key.
While preseason testing does not always predict race performance, they offer a fascinating window into the priorities and approaches of each team. These sessions are a moving laboratory, where technical innovation and pure driving skill are mixed.
| Day 1 Results | ||||
| Pos | Driver | Team | Time | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | 1:31.344s | |
| 2 | Lando Norris | McLaren | 1:32.484s | +1.140s |
| 3 | Carlos Sainz | Ferrari | 1:32.584s | +1.240s |
| 4 | Daniel Ricciardo | RB | 1:32.599s | +1.255s |
| 5 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine | 1:32.805s | +1.461s |
| 6 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | 1:33.007s | +1.663s |
| 7 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 1:33.247s | +1.903s |
| 8 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | 1:33.385s | +2.041s |
| 9 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | 1:33.658s | +2.314s |
| 10 | Zhou Guanyu | Sauber | 1:33.871s | +2.527s |
| 11 | Logan Sargeant | Williams | 1:33.882s | +2.538s |
| 12 | George Russell | Mercedes | 1:34.109s | +2.765s |
| 13 | Yuki Tsunoda | RB | 1:34.136s | +2.792s |
| 14 | Valtteri Bottas | Sauber | 1:34.431s | +3.087s |
| 15 | Alexander Albon | Williams | 1:34.587s | +3.243s |
| 16 | Esteban Ocon | Alpine | 1:34.677s | +3.333s |
| 17 | Kevin Magnussen | Haas | 1:35.692s | +4.348s |
| 18 | Nico Hulkenberg | Haas | 1:35.906s | +4.562s |
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