Perez productive on first morning of Bahrain testing
Published on 10 March 2022 by Stefan Meens
After a three-day test in Barcelona in February, the Formula 1 teams and drivers are back for the final pre-season test at the Bahrain International Circuit. Red Bull Racing’s Sergio Perez completed the most lap in the Thursday morning session (70), clocking the fourth fastest time. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was quickest.
At the start of the session, all eyes are on the updated Mercedes with its unconventional side-pod design, highlighting that the 2022-spec cars are still at the start of their development curve. Meanwhile, Haas F1 have other worries; logistical problems mean the team is unable to run in the morning.
In the first hour, teams complete mostly short runs, with the cars often sporting aero-rakes to gain valuable data on the aerodynamic behaviours of the 2022 challengers.
Like in Barcelona, the phenomenon of ‘porpoising’ is still a hot talking point with some cars affected more than others. During the morning session, the Mercedes appears to struggle more with car bouncing at hight speed compared to rivals Red Bull and Ferrari.
After two hours, Perez (P3) and Lewis Hamilton (P2) have completed the most laps (30) with Leclerc in the Ferrari setting the pace.
Meanwhile at McLaren, Lando Norris, who replaces the ill Daniel Ricciard, is not getting the preferred amount of track time. Technical issues, notably the brakes, limit the Brit to only 21 laps.
For the afternoon session, McLaren hope to catch up on lost time, with Haas aiming to complete their first laps of this pre-season test.
Pre-Season Test - Bahrain - Thursday 10 March, morning results:
01 Leclerc Ferrari 1:34.531 64 02 Albon Williams 1:35.070 53 03 Vettel Aston Martin 1:35.706 39 04 Perez Red Bull 1:35.977 70 05 Hamilton Mercedes 1:36.365 62 06 Ocon Alpine 1:36.768 42 07 Zhou Alfa Romeo 1:38.164 54 08 Norris McLaren 1:37.580 21 09 Gasly AlphaTauri 1:38.888 44
