Red Bull starlet Max Verstappen got off to a perfect start in 2021 as he topped the first day of Formula 1 pre-season testing in Bahrain.
While rivals Mercedes struggled to get on top of their new W12 title challenger!
Verstappen used the morning session to warm-up. In the afternoon he clocked the fastest time of the day with a 1m30.674s. This was on the C3 medium compound tyres ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris.
Daniel Ricciardo got off to an excellent start
Daniel Ricciardo set the morning’s benchmark as he got to grips with his McLaren ahead of the new season.
As the day progressed and the track got faster it was Verstappen who beat the Aussie’s lap time by over one and a half seconds.
After the midday break between the two sessions, the conditions proved to be the most challenging factor for the driver. A sandstorm caused visibility issues for all the drivers. But, Verstappen managed to claim claimed top spot at the Bahrain International Circuit.
The 23-year-old also ran a total of 139 laps throughout the day. It was the most laps across the whole grid and topped off what was an impressive start for Red Bull as they look to take the challenge to Mercedes this year.
It was a horrific opening day for the reigning world champions. Valtteri Bottas’ time in his new Mercedes was severely disrupted due to transmission problem on his first lap.
The team spotted the issue early as they removed the car’s engine cover. Bringing out the screens to start working on the car before confirming a change of gearbox. An imperfect start to testing for Mercedes on the first day of testing.
Lewis Hamilton back in the driving seat
The team’s afternoon improved as seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton took over duties. Although the brit did struggle for grip in his new Mercedes all afternoon on the C2 hard compound tyres.
Mercedes were on the back foot all afternoon as Hamilton tallied up 40 laps for the German manufacturer. Although he did sit over seconds behind Red Bull in 10th position.
McLaren’s Norris was the closest to Verstappen in second place just 0.215s behind the dutchman. He was ahead of Frenchman Esteban Ocon who was faultless for Alpine. He completed a staggering 129 laps with no reliability issues from the Renault power unit.
An impressive challenge by Lance Stroll
Lance Stroll jumped up to fourth in the final 10 minutes of the afternoon session as he and Aston Martin were concentrating on their programme rather than the timing sheets.
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz rounded up the top five for his new team in their bid to secure at least third position in this year’s Constructors’ Championship.
Antonio Giovinazzi went under the radar as he impressed for Alfa Romeo claiming sixth position, the Italian excelled after his previous shakedown with the car a matter of week ago.
Morning benchmark Ricciardo slipped down the pecking order to seventh in the afternoon as the track continued to grow faster. The 31-year-old logged 69 laps and will be convinced he made the right decision to move to McLaren after the pace set by his teammate Norris.
AlphaTauri duo Pierre Gasly and Yuki Tsunoda completed 111 laps between them and were separated by only half a second in eighth and ninth. While Red Bull’s sister team looked at ease with their higher rake car looking significantly good with this year’s reduction of downforce.
Reigning World Champion Lewis Hamilton concludes the top 10 of the first day of Formula 1 pre-season testing. The 36-year-old struggled with both understeer and oversteer throughout his stint this afternoon.
