On the first day of Formula 1 pre-season testing, McLaren’s Lando Norris set the pace by clocking the fastest lap, narrowly outpacing Mercedes’ George Russell. Norris managed to edge out Russell by just 0.157 seconds at the Sakhir Circuit in Bahrain, with Max Verstappen of Red Bull claiming the third spot and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc finishing fourth.
Six drivers achieved their best lap times during the session that transitioned from afternoon to evening. Earlier in the day, Leclerc’s new squad mate, Lewis Hamilton, took to the track, ending with the 13th fastest time.
However, it’s crucial to remember that pre-season testing lap times are often misleading in terms of actual competitiveness. Various unrevealed factors—such as fuel loads and engine settings—can significantly influence performance.
The session was conducted under unusually cool conditions for the region, with air temperatures hovering around 15°C. Despite the chillier weather, Russell expressed optimism about the performance of the Mercedes. He noted their improvement, considering the challenging testing seasons they’ve faced in the past three years.
“The car feels great,” Russell stated. “We have to be cautious since temperatures in Bahrain typically rise by about 20°C. It’s performing better here than ever, but that’s likely the case for everyone.”
Norris’ teammate, Oscar Piastri, took the wheel in the morning session, landing 16th in the standings. He remarked, “The car feels good; we’re just trying to find a better setup. We’re in decent shape, and while it’s still early days, we’re quite content with our progress.”
Last season, McLaren claimed the constructors’ championship for the first time since 1998, with Norris finishing as runner-up to Verstappen in the drivers’ championship. This year, McLaren aims to start strong and mount a title challenge throughout the season, considering Verstappen’s significant lead in 2024.
Interestingly, Hamilton and Verstappen chose not to address the media on the day. Meanwhile, Verstappen’s new teammate, Liam Lawson, experienced a spin during the morning session at Turn Two, the only major incident of the day.
A power outage disrupted the afternoon session, halting activities for an hour. The session was subsequently extended to ensure teams had ample testing time.
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