F1 Bahrain pre-season test - Day 2
Minute by minute updates on the second day of the 2024 F1 Bahrain pre-season test
The 2024 F1 season has arrived with pre-season testing in Bahrain.
All 10 teams have completed their launches and are trying to use as much track time as possible to prepare for the new season during the three-day pre-season test.
With Red Bull coming off a stunning 2023 season when it won all but one grand prix, can any of its rivals take the fight to the defending world champions? Signs were ominous after Max Verstappen dominated the opening day of the test.
The Bahrain pre-season test will run between 21-23 February, with each day’s track action starting at 7am GMT (10am local time).
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Ricciardo heads out on track for RB to join Perez. A big year looms for both these drivers in the context of the second Red Bull seat...
Ocon for Alpine also ventures back out having completed 13 laps so far, as does Stroll for Aston Martin.
Fitted with the C3 tyre, Ricciardo goes green in sector one and sector two.
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And the Australian sets a 1m35.410s, moving into P9.
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He wasn't the only one to improve either with their last lap, as Ocon set a 1m37.103s and occupies P12.
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Stroll is the next to improve, setting a 1m32.598s on the C3 compound which moves him up to P4.
Going back to Perez for a moment, he becomes the third driver after Leclerc and Hamilton to hit the 50-lap mark today.
Replays show the Mexican locking up into the right-hand Turn 8 hairpin as he continues to put in the laps. That won't do his C1 tyre any good at all.
Ocon is still out and running in P13 but given the Alpine driver is using the hardest tyre available to teams - the C1s - I don't think we'll be seeing him towards the top of the times just yet.
New lap count leader alert! Perez hits 55 laps, overtaking the previous benchmark of 54 set by Leclerc.
Speaking of Ferrari, Sainz is putting on his helmet and ready to jump in for the afternoon and four hours of running - in theory at least.
Sargeant is back out on track and locking up in his Williams at the tricky Turn 10 and having a huge oversteer moment on the exit.
Also back out is Hamilton and the Mercedes driver goes green in sector one on the C3s.
He's green in sector two...
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And he's green in sector three as Hamilton jumps into second with a 1m32.273s.
It leaves the Mercedes driver still over half a second back from Leclerc's session fastest.
And that's 60 laps for Perez. The Red Bull driver is still pounding around on those C1s and logging the miles. Maybe that 143-lap target set by Verstappen is within reach?
Out on his first lap for today, Sainz hits the track for Ferrari.
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And the Spaniard's first lap is a 1m33.414s on the C3 tyre which puts him P8. A nice opening lap from Sainz if a little nervy in places.
After that personal best lap a few minutes ago, Hamilton is still out there on the C3s and has reached 60 laps for today.
Norris is getting belted back into his McLaren and looks like he'll be heading back out shortly. The Brit has only done 8 laps so far, alongside the 35 laps set by his team-mate Piastri.
Piastri, incidentally, still sits P3 with his 1m32.328s from this morning's session.
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And slotting in right behind the Australian is Stroll, who sets a 1m32.419s.
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We've had a flurry of personal times in the last moments. Sainz improves to a 1m33.303s as Riccardo lowers his best to a 1m34.026s - both on the C3s.
Norris is back out and we just can't get enough of that Gil de Ferran tribute helmet.
Photo by: Lando Norris
For those wondering about the progress of Perez, yes he's still running and yes he's now on 70 laps.
Worth pointing out that only the Red Bull driver, Hamilton and Sargeant are running for the entirety of Thursday. Hamilton is on 67 laps while Sargeant is so far only on 48.
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A new personal best and this time it goes to Bottas. The Sauber driver jumps into P4 with a 1m32.401s on everyone's tyre of choice, the C3s.
Sainz is back out and green in sector one...
And he's purple in sector two!
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It's a 1m31.856s to launch Sainz into second and just over a tenth off his team-mate Leclerc's session fastest. Impressive, most impressive.
It's Stroll's turn to have a crack at a faster time, going green in the first two sectors.
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Fractional improvement for Stroll who sets a 1m32.376s.
Just like his new livery, Bottas goes green as well and jumps up to P3 with a 1m32.227s.
Photo by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Images
Perez pits! This is not a drill. After that mammoth stint the Red Bull driver finally heads for a deserved break. His total number of laps is now 79 and well clear of anyone else so far.
Off track
Out on track but literally off it, Ocon has a huge lock-up into Turn 1 and heads into the run-off area. The Alpine driver goes that deep he actually clips the gravel that's way out there before rejoining.
Fair to say that right-front C1 tyre now resembles a 50p and will surely need to be changed.
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Norris moves into P3. Three green sectors for the McLaren driver as he sets a 1m31.968s on the C3.
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And what do we know about the condition of tyres. Ocon carries on with that worn tyre and sets a personal best - a 1m36.353s which leaves him P14.
The Frenchman pits, though, leaving Norris and Hamilton alone on track.
By: Autosport Staff
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