F1 Bahrain Test Finals: Key Highlights and Developments
The F1 Bahrain Test Finals showcased thrilling performances as drivers pushed their limits on the track. George Russell of Mercedes delivered the standout lap, clocking a remarkable time of 1m33.918s. This impressive feat, set during the second hour of the final day of testing, made him the fastest driver of the event and the only one to breach the 1m34s barrier.
Key Highlights from the Bahrain Test Finals
- George Russell (Mercedes) – Fastest lap: 1m33.918s, 78 laps completed.
- Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – Second-fastest lap: 1m34.209s, 69 laps completed.
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – Third-fastest lap: 1m35.341s, 61 laps completed.
- Ollie Bearman (Haas) – Fourth-fastest lap: 1m35.972s, 70 laps completed.
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – Fifth-fastest lap: 1m36.390s, 73 laps completed.
- Franco Colapinto (Alpine) – Sixth-fastest lap: 1m36.874s, 64 laps completed.
- Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) – Eighth-fastest with the most laps: 84 laps, time: 1m37.238s.
- Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac) – Slowest lap: 1m38.772s, completed only 37 laps.
Daily Performance Overview
The final day began with Russell setting the pace shortly after a red flag incident. His early burst allowed Mercedes to compensate for lost testing time from the previous session due to engine issues. Hamilton closely followed, demonstrating sound performance and indicating strong potential as the team gears up for the upcoming season.
Other notable performances included Max Verstappen and Ollie Bearman, who secured the third and fourth positions respectively. Oscar Piastri of McLaren also showed promise, finishing fifth but was significantly slower than Russell.
Franco Colapinto improved considerably over the previous sessions, registering a personal best while Liam Lawson emerged as the most active driver on track. Despite some challenges, including a red flag attributed to Cadillac, the teams managed to gather crucial data ahead of the new season.
Day Three Times at a Glance
| Position | Driver | Team | Time | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | George Russell | Mercedes | 1m33.918s | 78 |
| 2 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | 1m34.209s | 69 |
| 3 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | 1m35.341s | 61 |
| 4 | Ollie Bearman | Haas | 1m35.972s | 70 |
| 5 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | 1m36.390s | 73 |
| 6 | Franco Colapinto | Alpine | 1m36.874s | 64 |
| 7 | Carlos Sainz | Williams | 1m37.186s | 68 |
| 8 | Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls | 1m37.238s | 84 |
| 9 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Audi | 1m37.536s | 60 |
| 10 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | 1m38.423s | 54 |
| 11 | Valtteri Bottas | Cadillac | 1m38.772s | 37 |
The Bahrain Test Finals provided vital insights for the teams as they finalize their preparations for the upcoming Formula 1 season. As teams analyze the results, the anticipation builds for an exciting year ahead.
