F1 Bahrain pre-season test - Day 2
Minute by minute updates on the second day of the 2023 F1 Bahrain pre-season test
After Max Verstappen topped yesterday's opening day of running for Red Bull, on-track action resumes from 07:00 GMT (10:00 local time).
All three days follow the same schedule, with running taking place from 10:00 until 14:15, and from 15:15 until 19:30 (all local time), pausing for a lunch break.
All 10 teams are set to be in action for the Bahrain pre-season test, the only opportunity teams will have to properly put their cars through their paces before the 2023 season proper gets under way next weekend.
More: F1 Bahrain test driver line-up
The Bahrain pre-season test will take place on 23-25 February ahead of the 2023 F1 season opener at the same venue, the Bahrain Grand Prix, on 3-5 March.
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The Mercedes had just been lifted slightly off the ground by the telehandler on scene to allow the mechanics to cover the underside with the big black sheet, when the car rocks slightly into the ground at the rear - not what the Mercedes crew wanted to see.
For all of F1's technology, a huge black sheet is now being draped over the halted W14 as this stoppage extends into its 10th minute.
As annoying as this stoppage is for Mercedes, it's even more frustrating for the Black Arrows' rivals who are missing out on crucial running time in conditions that will represent the grand prix here next weekend.
A group of Mercedes mechanics are now being transported to the scene of the stoppage.
Russell is watching on as the trackside workers aren't exactly in a hurry to get the Mercedes cleared...
There hasn't been much for the marshals to do during this test and they're now being called into action to retrieve the stricken Mercedes.
A replay has just shown that Russell was stuck in fourth gear at the time he stopped with a potential hydraulic issue at play as he also lost the steering. This could well be the end of the day for Mercedes.
It's remarkable, we've had almost two days of pre-season testing and this is only the second red flag we've had.
Red flag
Well this is something unusual. We've got a red flag! Russell has stopped out on track.
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De Vries is the next to improve as he jumps up to 12th on a 1m33.603s for AlphaTauri.
Stopwatch
Not only is Gasly out in the Alpine, he's improved his time, too! He sets a 1m33.186s but that still keeps him in ninth.
Just as we mention Alpine being slightly down on laps, Gasly ventures out! Leclerc, de Vries and Hulkenberg have also headed out as the track starts to get busier again.
Russell just completes a practice start from the pitlane as he ventures out. Mercedes hasn't really shown its hand much today, is that about to change?
While we've been totting those totals up, it's got very dark in Bahrain now and the floodlights are starting to glow. This is the time where some very quick laps could be set.
So, all much of a muchness with Alpine a bit of an outlier at the bottom.
In terms of laps completed today, here is how things currently stack up:
Williams: 120
Aston Martin: 110
Alfa Romeo: 107
Haas: 102
McLaren: 99
Red Bull: 94
Mercedes: 93
Ferrari: 92
Alpine: 74
Speaking of Alonso and he now dives into the pits, leaving his fellow centurions in terms of laps completed today, Sargeant and Zhou, with the track to themselves as they get some long runs in.
Alonso is one of just three drivers currently out on track, he's joined by Sargeant and Zhou in pounding around - incidentally that is the trio who have been given the whole day to test.
It's still taking a bit of getting used to seeing Alonso in a green car. After all, he may have been around the F1 houses but it's the first time he's driven for the Aston Martin/Racing Point/Force India/Spyker/Midland/Jordan operation. But it's not the first time he's driven a green F1 car. Oh no, here he is testing for Jaguar in May 2002.
Down at Red Bull, the screens are up around the garage and that means some fairly extensive work going on with the floor off the car. Verstappen has completed the 18 laps so far this afternoon after Perez managed 76 in the morning.
Stopwatch
Piastri is on a good lap and just sends the McLaren up to eighth with a 1m33.175s - that's a second-and-a-half off the current benchmark pace.
All fairly relaxed in the pitlane at the moment and we've even got drivers from great rivals Red Bull and Mercedes having a chat! Perez and Russell have been swapping notes on the impact of the wind around the Sakhir circuit.
Alonso has now joined Sargeant in smashing the 100-lap barrier for the day as the impressive reliability of these cars continues.
Given how close some of the times are on the leaderboard - the 0.1-second gap between second to fourth, in particular, means it's likely we may get some further changes to the order in the final two hours of running.
After beginning to type that, I realise it would be easier to list who isn't out! And that would be Ferrari, Red Bull, Mercedes and McLaren, to clarify.
Thank you, Haydn! We've got plenty of cars out on track at the minute as the sun starts to set in Bahrain. Haas, Williams, Aston Martin, Alfa Romeo, Alpine and AlphaTauri machines all currently circulating.
That's my time on here for the day, so let Stephen Lickorish guide you through the next stage of pre-season testing action.
Sargeant is Friday's first centurion, which will feel like a key milestone for both him and Williams, who have enjoyed an impressive pre-season test with no major issues and reliable running so far.
The sun is setting over the Bahrain International Circuit, meaning temperatures are beginning to dip back down. It should present a few teams with a good chance of performance and low fuel runs.
Twitter
Small bit of news ahead of the final day of pre-season testing, Aston Martin has announced its driver line-up for Saturday having held off due to Stroll's injury. Super sub Drugovich will be back for the morning before Alonso finishes things off in the afternoon.
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Hulkenberg, on the C4 tyres, goes second quickest with a 1m32.466s, but that is still 0.816s off Verstappen's leading effort.
Stopwatch
Piastri improves with a 1m33.973s to lift himself above Norris and de Vries and into 14th on the times. Russell also makes gains but stays 12th with a 1m33.654s.
Breaking news
Further downbeat news from McLaren, as the team admits it failed to hit development targets with its new F1 car. Full story: https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/mclaren-failed-to-hit-development-targets-with-2023-f1-car-/10435979/
There might be records broken for most laps completed in this test - not least because of the lack of red flags. Sargeant has overtaken Tsunoda for most laps so far today, currently on 89, while every team has notched up over a race distance already.
Verstappen sets a new fastest first sector of all but the lap gets away from him so he doesn't improve overall. Still, there's pace in that RB19 and even more to come, without a doubt.
Stopwatch
Hulkenberg jumps to seventh on the times with a 1m33.193s set on the C4 tyres which will encourage Haas.
Breaking news
During the lunch break, Russell faced the media and said Mercedes has a "good problem" to solve with its new W14 F1 car. Here's the full story: https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/russell-mercedes-has-good-problems-to-solve-with-2023-f1-car/10435959/
Piastri runs wide at Turn 1 which brings him into the path of Leclerc but thankfully the two avoid any further drama.
Leclerc appears to be on low fuel runs as he pits again after an earlier improvement for Ferrari. Still a chunk of time to find to match Verstappen in the Red Bull, mind.
Stopwatch
Meanwhile Russell improves again to move ahead of Hamilton and Perez on the times to breach the top 10 with a 1m33.738s.
By: Autosport Staff
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