Leclerc Leads Ferrari to Conclusion of F1 Pre-Season Testing with Swift Laps

In the final stretch of Formula 1 pre-season testing in Bahrain, Charles Leclerc continued to showcase Ferrari’s prowess by maintaining their position at the top of the timesheets for the second consecutive day. While Ferrari’s performance remained impressive, reigning champions Red Bull appeared formidable, signaling a competitive season ahead.

Leclerc’s dominance was evident as he clocked the fastest lap of the day, recording a time of one minute and 30.322 seconds on the rapid C5 tires. Not far behind, Mercedes’ George Russell trailed by a mere 0.046 seconds on the C4 compound.

Sauber’s Guanyu Zhou secured the third-fastest time, also on the C4 tires, while Red Bull’s triple champion Max Verstappen claimed the fourth position, albeit 0.433 seconds adrift.

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Verstappen, who opted for the slower C3 tires intended for the upcoming season-opener, expressed satisfaction with the team’s focus on long-running and performance evaluation. Despite not prioritizing pure lap times, Verstappen acknowledged the car’s strong performance during the testing sessions.

However, the final day of testing was marred by interruptions, with a dislodged drain cover at Turn 11 halting track activities for approximately 80 minutes. This incident, reminiscent of a similar occurrence the previous day, disrupted the rhythm of teams and drivers.

Despite setbacks, Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz showcased promising speed before the suspension, topping the timesheets on Thursday with an impressive time of 1:29.921 on C4 tires. Ferrari’s comprehensive testing program saw them complete over seven grand prix distances, covering 423 laps equivalent to 2,257km.

Reflecting on the testing sessions, Leclerc expressed satisfaction with the car’s performance and noted improvements compared to the previous year. However, he remained cautious about assessing the car’s competitiveness, emphasizing the need for further evaluation.

While Ferrari exhibited promising pace and improved tire wear, Red Bull’s RB20 car continued to impress competitors. Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton acknowledged Red Bull’s superiority, echoing sentiments shared by others in the paddock.

Mercedes, focusing on long-term performance rather than outright speed, amassed a total of 1,952km over the three days of testing. The team’s trackside engineering director, Andrew Shovlin, highlighted positive feedback from drivers, indicating progress compared to the previous season.

As the teams wrap up testing and prepare for the upcoming 24-race season, anticipation mounts for the opening round in Bahrain. With practice sessions scheduled on Thursday and the grand prix on Saturday, Formula 1 enthusiasts eagerly await the start of what promises to be an enthralling season.