Charles Leclerc Leads as Mercedes and Red Bull Face Reliability Issues
Charles Leclerc demonstrated impressive performance in the second morning of Formula 1’s Bahrain pre-season test. Driving Ferrari’s SF-26, he clocked a time of 1m34.273s, leading the session with significant pace. This time is four tenths faster than Lando Norris’s record from the previous day, who finished second with a time of 1m34.784s.
Reliability Issues for Mercedes and Red Bull
Both Mercedes and Red Bull faced significant reliability challenges during the session. Red Bull completed only a single lap, discovering a hydraulic leak during car assembly. Isack Hadjar, the driver scheduled for the entire session, is hoping to recover lost time later.
Meanwhile, Mercedes struggled as Andrea Kimi Antonelli could only manage three laps. He encountered a power unit issue that ended his run prematurely. George Russell was slated to continue driving in the afternoon session.
Cadillac’s Performance
Cadillac Racing’s Sergio Perez had a mixed morning. He caused a red flag during his first out-lap but quickly returned to the track. By the end of the session, Perez had completed 42 laps, setting a best time of 1m38.653s, which was slower than most competitors except for Fernando Alonso from Aston Martin.
Top Performers of the Session
Despite the setbacks faced by some teams, others displayed commendable performances. Here are the top results:
| Driver | Team | Time | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leclerc | Ferrari | 1:34.273 | 62 |
| Norris | McLaren | 1:34.784 | 64 |
| Gasly | Alpine | 1:36.723 | 61 |
| Bearman | Haas | 1:37.025 | 55 |
| Albon | Williams | 1:37.229 | 62 |
| Hulkenberg | Audi | 1:37.266 | 47 |
| Lawson | Racing Bulls | 1:38.017 | 50 |
| Perez | Cadillac | 1:38.653 | 42 |
| Alonso | Aston Martin | 1:38.960 | 55 |
| Antonelli | Mercedes | – | 3 |
| Hadjar | Red Bull | – | 1 |
The current pre-season testing in Bahrain has set the stage for a competitive season. Fans and teams alike are eager to see how these developments unfold as the season progresses.
