Leclerc Sets Fastest Time as Final Day of F1 Pre-Season Testing Unfolds in Bahrain

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc set the fastest time on Friday morning as pre-season testing in Bahrain neared its conclusion. After two challenging days of cold, windy, and rainy conditions, the teams finally enjoyed dry and favorable weather, allowing them to maximize their data collection. With track temperatures stabilizing, drivers pushed their cars to the limit, preparing for the upcoming Formula 1 season opener.

Driver Swaps and On-Track Disruptions Mark Friday’s Pre-Season Testing Session

Some notable driver swaps took place, with Williams’ Carlos Sainz and Red Bull’s Liam Lawson completing their pre-season runs on Thursday, leaving their seats to teammates for Friday’s sessions. Aston Martin made a last-minute switch, with Fernando Alonso driving in the morning instead of the afternoon after Lance Stroll reported not feeling completely well. These changes allowed teams to adjust their programs and gather more feedback from different drivers.

Despite the smooth weather, Friday’s session saw a few disruptions. About 90 minutes in, Haas’ Ollie Bearman lost part of his car’s bodywork, bringing out yellow flags as marshals cleared debris from the track. Although Haas downplayed the issue, it briefly halted Bearman’s session before repairs allowed him to resume running.

Another stoppage occurred just before lunch when debris was found on the start/finish straight, while Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli and Kick Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto also faced delays due to time spent in the garage.

Red Bull Focuses on Reliability as Leclerc Tops Morning Pre-Season Testing Times

Defending champion Max Verstappen had a quiet morning as Red Bull mechanics worked on the rear of his RB21. His new teammate, Lawson, previously noted minor “teething gremlins” affecting the car, which may have contributed to the team’s cautious approach. Red Bull’s focus remained on ensuring the car’s reliability ahead of the final test session later in the day.

By the time the session ended for lunch, Leclerc remained the fastest with a lap time of 1m 30.811s, followed by Antonelli, McLaren’s Lando Norris, and Verstappen. Alpine’s Jack Doohan secured fifth place, with Williams’ Alex Albon, Racing Bulls’ Isack Hadjar, and Alonso completing the top eight.

Bortoleto recorded the fewest laps due to his time in the garage, finishing ninth, while Bearman rounded out the field. As teams broke for a meal, they prepared to analyze the data before returning for the final pre-season session in the afternoon.