SAKHIR (BAHRAIN) (ITALPRESS) – Lando Norris ahead of everyone at the end of the first day of preseason testing in Bahrain. On the Sakhir circuit, the McLaren Briton, who took to the track late after some set-up problems, printed the best performance of the day, stopping the clock at 1’30″430. Far behind was Oscar Piastri, 17th at 1″654. “We are excited to be back on track. There is no clear favorite and I expect at least four teams capable of winning races. The differences between the cars are getting thinner and thinner,” the comment in the morning from McLaren ceo Zak Brown. In second place is George Russell in the Mercedes at 0″157. Max Verstappen is third at 0″244. The Dutchman and multi-time RedBull champion, despite a rather stuck single-seater on the front, managed to put together a good time. In fourth position is Charles Leclerc (+0″448). The Monegasque of Ferrari found the best performance after a few attempts and then focused on race simulation. Race pace, always to be taken with pincers not knowing the fuel loads, in which McLaren seemed more consistent than both Ferrari and Red Bull. Very inconsistent Russell. Both Williams in the top ten. Carlos Sainz is fifth at 0″525, while Alexander Albon, third in the morning session, is ninth at 1″143. Excellent day for Andrea Kimi Antonelli. The 2006 class drove his Mercedes into first position in the morning and immediately found a good feeling with the car, completing an impressive 78 laps. The Italian driver dropped to seventh place after the afternoon session. Liam Lawson is 8th, spinning (without consequences) in his Red Bull debut. Lewis Hamilton is 13th at 1″404. The seven-time world champion, in his first season with the Red Bull, finished fifth in the morning session. A few too many corrections and a feeling with the single-seater to be found for the Briton, who was, however, very consistent in the race simulation. Lagging behind were both the Aston Martins and the Haas. Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll are 15th and 16th. Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman finish 19th and 20th. Formula 1 debuts for Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls), 11th, and Gabriel Bortoleto (Kick Sauber), 12th. – Photo Ipa Agency -(ITALPRESS).
