With Max Verstappen (Red Bull) in the garage and without driving, its competitors were able to carry out their tests in less pressure Bahrain and spanish Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) was the fastest this Thursday on the second day of preseason testing Formula 1.
At the Sakhir circuit, where the new season will get underway in a week with the Bahrain Grand Prix, the Madrid rider surpassed the Mexican’s Red Bull on the day’s time sheet by 758 thousandths of a second. Sergio Perez and in more than a second Mercedes from the british Lewis Hamiltonwho will replace him next year at the Scuderia.
The British Lando Norris (McLaren) finished fourth, ahead of the Australian Daniel Ricciardofifth at the wheel of his Racing Bulls (former Alpha Tauri, Red Bull’s little sister team).
The results have a relative relevance due to the different choice of tires: Sainz was equipped with softer tires and therefore faster in a lap than those of Pérez or others. Only Ricciardo opted for rubber as soft as Sainz’s.
Verstappen followed the day as a spectator, since each team only has one car. The Dutchman largely dominated Wednesday’s day and this time the person in charge of testing the Red Bull was ‘Checo’ Pérez.
In Alpine, which has undergone a profound transformation of its car, the French drivers Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly shared and finished the day respectively eighth and fourteenth.
Although most teams believe that Red Bull is the overwhelming favorite to maintain hegemony in Formula 1, some teams may have hidden their cards in order to seek a surprise effect at the start of the season.
The second day of preseason rehearsals was disrupted on Thursday by a problem in a water drain, which forced the morning session to be permanently interrupted. To make up for the lost time, the second session was brought forward.
As on Wednesday, within the framework of these tests, the case of the Red Bull boss, Christian Horner, who was subjected to an internal investigation in his team for “inappropriate behavior” towards an employee, continued to motivate conversation, an accusation that the British leader “totally rejects.” “.
Horner was asked about this at a press conference and chose not to comment. “There is a procedure in progress, in which I am immersed. As I am part of it, I fear that I will not be able to comment on this matter,” he said before a few dozen journalists present in Bahrain.
The Formula 1 promoter stated last weekend that he wanted the matter to be clarified “as soon as possible.”
“I think everyone wants a conclusion as quickly as possible,” Horner said Thursday, “but I really can’t comment,” he reiterated.
Source: Ambito
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