SAKHIR, Bahrain — In an impressive start to the second day of Formula 1 preseason testing, Lewis Hamilton showcased his speed in his new Ferrari, setting the pace as the morning’s fastest driver. Some unexpected rain added a twist to Thursday’s session, presenting teams with a unique challenge in the desert setting.
Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, clocked a lap time nearly four-tenths of a second ahead of George Russell from Mercedes, his former team. Close behind, Williams’ Carlos Sainz, Jr. secured the third-fastest time.
Hamilton’s performance significantly improved upon the previous day’s best lap, which had been set by Lando Norris in a McLaren. However, caution is advised when interpreting testing times, as they often don’t fully reveal the competitive potential of cars and drivers due to differing testing strategies.
Unseasonably low temperatures accompanied by unexpected light rain during the session added complications for teams as they sought to understand their new vehicles. Teams typically come prepared for dry desert conditions, but only Aston Martin and Haas had the foresight to bring wet-weather tires, giving them a potential edge.
The testing will continue later into Thursday, and teams are preparing intensively as the countdown begins to the first race of the season—the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, scheduled for March 16.
