Leclerc in front – Bottas causes red flag!

Yes, the Pirelli tires also crowned the heroes during testing in Bahrain and caused deep concern. Those who don’t have good times get nervous – and try to get out of the crisis with a super soft tire highlighted in red.

Verstappen is missing on the last day

On the final day of testing, three drivers will no longer be on track: world champion and championship favorite Max Verstappen in the Red Bull Honda (“We are ready!”) and the only two drivers who were on the road with the C5 on the first two days: Williams newcomer Logan Sargeant (22, USA) and Alfa-Sauber hope Guanyu Zhou (23). With this help, the Chinese even secured the surprising victory of the day on Friday! For Verstappen, who was two compounds harder (C3).

Bottas stands – red

“It’s good for every driver if his name is at the top,” laughed the Shanghai man. Of course Zhou’s best time of 1:31.610 is not going to survive. But for teammate Bottas it is an important benchmark. The Finn raised the first red flag on the final day 80 minutes before the lunch break – parking the Alfa-Sauber in the middle of the track after 72 laps. Sounds like a power transmission problem.

Russell calms Mercedes down

People are especially nervous when there are two teams. Like a year ago, Mercedes often wanders helplessly through the area and is once again plagued by doubts about its competitiveness. After 53 minutes, Russell calmed things down a bit. With the C4 tires and 1:31.707 he set the best time of Zhou. It worked on the second try – 1:31.564. Later even 1:31.442.

At McLaren-Mercedes, which team boss Andreas Seidl (47) lost to Sauber, there is pure desperation. The papaya monster hardly moves with the two super talents Lando Norris and newcomer Oscar Piastri. Here too the rubber will probably have to help today.

First attack by Ferrari

The difference between C4 and C5 is at least 0.4 seconds per lap. Vice world champion Charles Leclerc’s new best time of over an hour of 1:31.164 became important for the first time: the Ferrari was still on the road with the C4 – most people save the ‘secret weapon’ for the final hour of testing under spotlights.

Is Stroll out for weeks?

It is also uncertain how long the son of the Aston Martin-Mercedes owner, Lance Stroll (24), will be out after his cycling accident in Spain. The Canadian is said to have already had surgery on a broken wrist in Barcelona(?). His replacement, Formula 2 champion Felipe Drugovich (22), did well in the green car. But the Brazilian is of course overshadowed by Fernando Alonso (41). The two-time champion takes over the car after the lunch break and already announces: “I’m chasing the test win!”

Source : Blick