Moment to rejoice for us F1 fanatics, isn’t it? The cars are back on track and while the pre-season testing is also known as ‘Winter Testing’, the snow in Bahrain was somehow sand… and it was lots of it. So then, how did the teams and drivers alike fair in the first day of testing, we tell you…
Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team
Starting off with the champions, obviously. However, it didn’t particularly looked like a champions’ outing as the team was forced to sit out most of the initial hours of the morning session owing to a gearbox issue. When it did begin to look better for them, Valterri Bottas took the charge and finished in last place with a time of 1:36:850, completing only 6 laps. I still wonder how that man plans on beating his teammate.
Speaking of Lewis Hamilton, the 7-time champ had a much better day at the office as he completed 42 laps, and set a time of 1:32:912. The team struggled massively due to the lack of running and the subsequent absence of pace. It raked in only 48 laps, the fewest of any team out there.
Red Bull Racing
More of a one-man-show for the young superstar in Max Verstappen as the Dutch led the field at the end of Day 1 with the fastest-lap of 1:30:674 and also managed to complete the most laps (138). Max said the car felt comfortable, planted, fast – just what Red Bull wanted to hear.
McLaren F1 Team
The funny yet, hardworking duo of Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris worked closely to examine their cars and with some help from the Mercedes engine at the back, Lando finished in second overall with a time of 1:30:889 (set on Mediums) and completed 45 laps.
Ricciardo, on the other hand, led the charge in the evening session, and with the temperatures easing a bit and the track rubbering in, set a time of 1:32:203 whilst completing 45 laps, same as his teammate.
Alpine F1 Team
The newly-rebranded team had a great start to its season with Esteban Ocon at the driving duties as he finished third overall with a time of 1:31:146 and had 128 laps to his name.
Scuderia Ferrari
The Italians had a relatively okay day but was made worse when Charles’ Ferrari decided to let go in the morning session. Nonetheless, he set a time of 1:33:242 and completed 59 laps. His teammate, Carlos Sainz Jr, looked rapid as he finished his day with a time of 1:31:919, fifth overall, and 56 laps. xannonce.ch
Alfa Romeo
A trouble-free day at the office meant Kimi Raikkonen ended his duties in twelfth place overall with a time of 1:33:320 and 63 laps, whereas Antonio Giovinazzi showcased his potential with a time of 1:31:945 and 68 laps.
AlphaTauri
At the AT’s side of things, it looked productive as rookie Yuki Tsunoda completed 37 laps with a PB lap of 1:32:727 as the more-experienced Pierre Gasly set a time of 1:32:231 and raked in 74 laps in total.
Aston Martin
I, personally, was paying close attention to what this team was doing in the first day and it sure didn’t fail to impress. Lance Stroll who is more used to driving the car, for obvious reasons, finished his day with a time of 1:31:782 (fourth overall) and completed 46 laps whereas the fan-favorite Sebastian Vettel was still getting to the grips of his new machine but still posted a respectable time of 1:33:742 as he completed 51 laps.
Haas
The team with the least-favorite livery also had a gearbox issue in the morning session as Mick Schumacher managed only 15 laps, with a PB of 1:36:127. His teammate who I don’t wish to name, had 70 laps to his name and a time of 1:34:798.
Williams
Unlike its 2019 woes, the team enjoyed a much better day this year as Roy Nissany set a time of 1:34:789 and completed 83 laps which is, by every standard, a good total. I think the livery is working for them.
