Carlos Sainz topped day two of F1 pre-season testing in Bahrain for Ferrari; Red Bull's Sergio Perez was second ahead of the Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton; watch day three of testing live on Friday from 7am on Sky Sports F1
Thursday 22 February 2024 22:24, UK
Carlos Sainz set the fastest time on day two of Formula 1 pre-season testing as Ferrari offered an impressive response to Red Bull's strong start in Bahrain.
After reigning world champion Max Verstappen had topped the timesheet by more than a second on the first of three days of testing in Sakhir, Sainz was 0.7s clear of the Dutchman's Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez on Thursday.
While Sainz's leading effort came on the softer - and theoretically faster - C4 tyre than the medium C3 compound used by Perez, the performance suggested Red Bull may not be quite as far ahead as they had seemed 24 hours earlier.
Lewis Hamilton, who like Perez drove in both of Thursday's sessions having not driven on Wednesday, was third for Mercedes as he finished the best part of 0.4s back from the Red Bull.
Lando Norris was fourth for McLaren despite a fuel system issue costing the Brit valuable track time during an afternoon session that was extended after the opening period had to be suspended because of a loose drain cover on track.
Daniel Ricciardo rounded out a top five filled exclusively with times set in the cooler and faster conditions of the evening session, but like Sainz used the softer C4 tyre.
* the C5 tyre is the softest - and theoretically fastest - compound, while C1 is the hardest - and theoretically slowest - compound
The opening session of the day was stopped and suspended just beyond its halfway phase when a drain cover came loose at Turn 11, damaging Charles Leclerc's Ferrari to the extent that its floor needed changing.
Once repairs had been carried out, the afternoon session was brought forward and extended by an hour to make back some of the time that had been lost.
Before the unexpected drama, Red Bull had endured some early-morning challenges having looked imperious on Wednesday as Verstappen picked up where he left off in his historically dominant 2023 campaign.
There was a small brake fire on the RB20 when Perez returned to the garage in the opening minutes of the day, which caused a brief delay to the Mexican's run programme.
A further concern followed in the second session when Perez dramatically reduced his pace during a lap before limping back to the pits, but he would swiftly be sent back out with no further issue.
Ultimately, Red Bull would get through an impressive haul of 129 laps, topped only by Sauber (135) and Ferrari, who between Leclerc and Sainz completed the most tours on day two with 138.
All eyes were on Hamilton as he began his final pre-season testing with Mercedes ahead of his 2025 switch to Ferrari.
Mercedes didn't give much away in terms of performance on Wednesday as George Russell finished the day 12th, and a similar pattern appeared to be developing on Thursday as Hamilton remained in the midfield.
However, as the sun set on the Bahrain International Circuit, the seven-time world champion was finally allowed to deliver a couple of performance runs.
The W15, vastly different from its troublesome predecessor, appeared to handle far more favourably and enabled Hamilton to briefly claim the fastest medium tyre time of the week, before it was improved upon by Perez.
While the timesheet at testing rarely provides a fully accurate picture of true competitiveness given teams keep their fuel levels, engine settings, run plans and set-ups close to their chests, Hamilton offered a positive reaction to his experience.
"It was a productive day out there," Hamilton said. "We gathered lots of learnings about the W15, both in our long running and single lap work.
"We've clearly made an improvement with this year's car and it's much nicer to drive.
"We've still got progress to make of course. But this is a good foundation for us to build on. We'll keep our heads down and continue to work to find improvements, both over the rest of the test and into next week.
Friday February 23 - Day Three
Just one week after testing, the opening race of the 2024 season will begin with the Bahrain Grand Prix from February 29 to March 2.
Due to the Muslim holy period of Ramadan, the Bahrain and, seven days later, the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, will be held on a Saturday.
This means practice one and two will take place on Thursdays, with final practice and qualifying on Fridays.
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Watch pre-season testing live and then every round of the new season, starting with the Bahrain Grand Prix from February 29-March 2. Stream every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership