Max Verstappen led the way in which as Formulation 1 testing resumed on the Bahrain Worldwide Circuit.
The Purple Bull driver set the quickest time over the primary 4 hours of working on the residence of the Bahrain Grand Prix. Groups can have an additional 4 hours of working within the late afternoon and night.
Following Williams’ absence from the primary check on the Circuit de Catalunya two weeks in the past, all 11 groups are current in Bahrain for the primary of two three-day assessments. Carlos Sainz Jnr appeared desirous to make up for misplaced time within the FW48, masking the best mileage of any driver within the first morning, 20 laps greater than a grand prix distance.
Oscar Piastri lapped only a tenth of a second slower than Verstappen’s benchmark of 1’35.433. At this early stage in testing, the quickest occasions had been over five-and-a-half seconds off Piastri’s 2025 pole place time. Groups are solely allowed to run Pirelli’s three hardest tyre compounds – C1, C2 and C3 – at this week’s check.
Whereas Verstappen additionally exceeded a grand prix distance within the RB22, the next-quickest drivers – Piastri, Mercedes’ George Russell and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton – fell barely brief. Hamilton misplaced time with a short, innocent spin at flip one early within the check.
The one crimson flag throughout the first 4 hours was attributable to Franco Colapinto, who got here to a cease in his Alpine. He rejoined the check afterward, however the staff has coated the bottom mileage of any up to now.
Most drivers will hand over to their staff mates for the rest of at this time’s check except Verstappen, Esteban Ocon and Lance Stroll.
Bahrain check one, day one morning lap occasions:
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