F1

Formula 1 cars were fired up and sent out on track together for the first time in 2023 as pre-season testing got under way in Sakhir on Thursday, ...

After launches, shakedowns and various filming days, the paddock convened at the Bahrain International Circuit for three days of running, with teams and drivers bidding to learn as much as they can about their new cars. Flick through the image gallery above for a closer look at the 2023 F1 grid. After the green light switched on at the end of the pit lane at 1000 local time, all 10 cars were quick to hit the circuit, albeit with Aston Martin reserve driver Felipe Drugovich stopping early on amid apparent technical problems.

Two teenage female drivers say they hope the new F1 Academy will break down barriers in the sport.

"I don't want to be seen as a female driver, I just want to be seen as a driver. I've got to get physically fitter and things like that. But are they finally taking women seriously with the introduction of the new F1 Academy? A female driver hasn't competed in a Formula 1 grand prix since 1976. "As soon as I heard about the series, the backing of Formula 1 and the teams and people involved, I was extremely keen to be part of this first historic season," she tells Newsbeat. "And if it's not me, I want it to be the next generation.

The race calendar for the inaugural 2023 season of the F1 Academy has been announced, with a total of 21 races over seven rounds, including a season finale ...

7th - 6 6th - 8 5th - 10

Reigning world champion Max Verstappen started the 2023 Formula One season where he left off in 2022 by topping the first morning of testing in Bahrain.

Piastri - McLaren - 1:34.888 - 52 laps Gasly - Alpine - 1:34.822 - 60 laps Hulkenberg - Haas - 1:34.424 - 51 laps Russell - Mercedes - 1:34.174 - 69 laps Albon - Williams - 1:33.671 - 74 laps Sainz - Ferrari - 1:33.253 - 72 laps

Max Verstappen set the pace on the opening morning for Red Bull as 2023 Formula 1 pre-season testing began in Bahrain.

[PlusPlusFormula 1 ](/f1/news/the-ominous-alarm-bell-ringing-after-f1-launch-season/10433382/) [PlusPlusFormula 1 ](/f1/news/what-williamss-new-boss-must-do-to-change-the-fortunes-of-f1s-backmarker/10433442/) [PlusPlusFormula 1 ](/f1/news/the-ferrari-comeback-of-an-american-f1-icon/10428596/) [PlusPlusFormula 1 ](/f1/news/grand-prix-racings-forgotten-year-of-change/10433989/) [PlusPlusFormula 1 ](/f1/news/the-alarm-that-still-sounds-from-the-fias-driver-expression-clampdown/10434686/) [Nico Hulkenberg](https://www.autosport.com/driver/nico-hulkenberg/829440/) also enjoyed a solid morning for his new team Haas with sixth place, a quarter of a second off Russell, as Drugovich popped in a late lap to move up to seventh place on the times for Aston Martin. [George Russell](https://www.autosport.com/driver/george-russell/840489/), who was first on-track this morning, slotted into fifth for [Mercedes](https://www.autosport.com/team/mercedes/36495/) which put the German manufacturer 1.2s off the outright pace. [PlusPlusFormula 1Bahrain February Testing ](/f1/news/the-hard-numbers-that-spell-out-the-impact-of-red-bulls-cost-cap-penalty/10434985/) [PlusPlusFormula 1Bahrain February Testing ](/f1/news/what-each-team-must-escape-in-testing-to-avoid-setting-off-alarm-bells/10435029/) [PlusPlusFormula 1Bahrain February Testing ](/f1/news/why-f1s-missing-piece-wont-play-on-his-nationality-for-success/10435087/) [PlusPlusF1 Formula 1 ](/f1/news/why-f1s-missing-piece-wont-play-on-his-nationality-for-success/10435087/) [F1 Formula 1 ](/f1/news/2023-f1-bahrain-test-verstappen-tops-morning-as-pre-season-test-begins/10435407/)

F1 Academy has revealed the calendar and format for its inaugural season of racing, with the all-women series set to feature seven events, with 21 races in ...

“Our goal was to be able to race on as many Formula 1 Grand Prix tracks as possible, with circuits that could be a great challenge for the drivers. We will reveal the rest of the dates in due time.” One point for the fastest lap time will be up for grabs in each race, provided the driver finishes within the top 10. Race 2’s grid will be set by reversing the top eight drivers from Qualifying 1, with ninth and below lining up in the positions they qualified in. From there, June 23-25 will see them pay a trip to the historic Zandvoort circuit in the Netherlands. 8th 4

Formula 1 has revealed the full calendar and the weekend format for the all-female F1 Academy series that aims to increase the participation of women in ...

Our goal was to be able to race on as many Formula 1 Grand Prix tracks as possible, with circuits that could be a great challenge for the drivers. Pirelli will be the official tyre supplier, as with F1 and its other support categories. The exact schedule of the remaining test days will be revealed in the coming weeks, according to a press release issued by F1.

Max Verstappen ensured a familiar-looking timesheet to kick off Formula 1 2023's pre-season test by out-pacing Carlos Sainz in the opening morning session ...

Immediately, they've got a few tenths, maybe even half a second, out of a lighter chassis itself. "Nine, 10 months of development after last year's car didn't work out. Next, will be a focus on performance. "It's just a stiff ride. "They've got their car in a bit of a different place at the moment to the likes of Ferrari." Verstappen set the pace with a 1:32.959, a time that was three-tenths quicker than Sainz and significantly faster than the laps this time last year as these F1 cars enter the second season of a much-changed generation.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled ski boots and contact SCARPA for instructions on replacing the screws. Consumers can either take the ...

Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. [Choose Your Recall Emails](/Newsroom/Subscribe)Get Notified About Each Recall via Email. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products has contributed to a decline in the rate of injuries associated with consumer products over the past 50 years. Consumers can either take the recalled ski boots to an authorized SCARPA dealer to have the screws replaced free of cost or request SCARPA to send them the free screws, including shipping, for self-replacement. [@USCPSC](https://www.instagram.com/uscpsc/)and Twitter [@USCPSC](https://twitter.com/USCPSC). The model name “F1 LT” or “F1 GT” is printed on the upper right outside ankle cuff of the boots. [www.SaferProducts.gov](https://www.saferproducts.gov/). Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled ski boots and contact SCARPA for instructions on replacing the screws. MT Monday through Friday, by email at SCARPA toll-free at 866-998-2895 from 8 a.m. The lower circle has an arrow pointing to the number “22,” indicating the manufacture year. The manufacture date is stamp molded into the cuff.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen continued where he left off in 2022 by topping the timesheets as pre-season testing got under way at the Bahrain International ...

[READ MORE: Verstappen leads Sainz on opening morning of Bahrain pre-season test](https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.verstappen-leads-sainz-on-opening-morning-of-bahrain-pre-season-test.25N8iaocvGaz4TxzXdXR9N.html) [the injured Lance Stroll](https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.breaking-stroll-to-miss-pre-season-testing-in-bahrain-after-training.5LEjhsalspXJ3QpCBwbieJ.html). [READ MORE: From aero rakes to flow-vis – 5 key terms you need to know for F1 pre-season testing](https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.from-aero-rakes-to-flow-vis-5-key-terms-you-need-to-know-for-f1-pre-season.10Cdt2TOEZ1rR7pgQhnMux.html) [GALLERY: Check out the 2023 F1 cars in action as they hit the track for pre-season testing in Bahrain](https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.gallery-check-out-the-2023-f1-cars-in-action-as-they-hit-the-track-for-pre.7ahhHpLrehhIsIG9Cdv9x2.html) [hailed the squad’s driver line-up](https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.new-ferrari-boss-vasseur-admits-he-approached-sainz-for-sauber-drive-as-he.1KNs1qEbWBOWNmfmz0g1Lj.html) and spoke of a positive start for the SF-23. [for reserve driver Felipe Drugovich](https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.drugovich-explains-cause-of-testing-stoppage-as-aston-martin-provide-update.7GF9zerk7C1e2E4gHmyIiC.html).

Max Verstappen narrowly topped the opening day of 2023 Formula 1 pre-season testing in Bahrain, as the Red Bull driver held onto the fastest time from Aston ...

[PrimePrimeFormula 1 ](/f1/news/what-williamss-new-boss-must-do-to-change-the-fortunes-of-f1s-backmarker/10433683/) [PrimePrimeFormula 1 ](/f1/news/the-ferrari-comeback-of-american-f1-icon-mario-andretti/10433953/) [PrimePrimeFormula 1 ](/f1/news/grand-prix-racings-forgotten-year-of-change/10434140/) [PrimePrimeFormula 1 ](/f1/news/the-alarm-that-still-sounds-from-the-fias-driver-expression-clampdown/10434901/) [PrimePrimeFormula 1 ](/f1/news/the-hard-numbers-behind-red-bulls-f1-cost-cap-penalty/10435004/) [Zhou Guanyu](https://www.motorsport.com/driver/zhou-guanyu/289725/) in eighth for [Alfa Romeo](https://www.motorsport.com/team/alfa-romeo/17890/), ahead of team-mate [Valtteri Bottas](https://www.motorsport.com/driver/valtteri-bottas/13082/) in 12th, F1 returnee [Nico Hulkenberg](https://www.motorsport.com/driver/nico-hulkenberg/9327/) produced an impressive start to his full-time comeback with 11th for Haas and 51 laps to his name – with [Kevin Magnussen](https://www.motorsport.com/driver/kevin-magnussen/15905/) propping up the timesheet of a field covered by 2.2s. [PrimePrimeFormula 1 ](/f1/news/why-f1s-missing-piece-wont-play-on-his-nationality-for-success/10435390/) [PrimePrimeFormula 1 ](/f1/news/why-red-bulls-evolutionary-rb19-does-not-disappoint/10435559/) [McLaren](https://www.motorsport.com/team/mclaren/10/), as [Lando Norris](https://www.motorsport.com/driver/lando-norris/289316/) lost time, stuck in the garage with the team repairing a wheel fairing issue. [Alex Albon](https://www.motorsport.com/driver/alex-albon/109625/) took seventh for [Williams](https://www.motorsport.com/team/williams/13/) after debuting the FW45 before handing over to F1 rookie [Logan Sargeant](https://www.motorsport.com/driver/logan-sargeant/289607/) for the afternoon session, with the US youngster in 10th place. [PrimePrime Formula 1 ](/f1/news/why-red-bulls-evolutionary-rb19-does-not-disappoint/10435559/) [ Formula 1 ](/f1/news/mercedes-f1-hamilton-catch-up-mode-despite-calmer-w14/10435660/)

Red Bull's Max Verstappen set the fastest time on the opening day of Formula 1's 2023 pre-season test at the Bahrain International Circuit on Thursday.

In total McLaren completed 92 laps. Logan Sergeant continued in the afternoon, finishing the day 10th fastest. He finished the day with the fastest time of 1:32.837 and completed 157 laps. Whereas McLaren seemed to struggle somewhat, on paper at least. Ferrari had a consistent day in both lap times and laps completed. As the teams started to focus on performance runs, Alonso was 0.029s off Verstappen.

Eagle-eyed viewers and commentators noticed something new about the SF-23 during the first testing session.

[aerodynamically](https://www.sbnation.com/23584739/the-f1-glossary) with the design, perhaps looking to shave off a few milliseconds here and there with the flex at the front of the SF-23. When Sainz slowed and/or applied the brakes, that carbon fiber would return to its normal position. But eagle-eyed viewers and commentators noticed a dimple in the nose cone of their SF-23, Ferrari’s challenger for the 2023 F1 season:

While Max Verstappen topping the timesheets on day one of Formula 1 testing will have been a turn off for some, few definitive conclusions can be drawn from ...

But that is not a conclusion that can be drawn solely and securely from events at the Sakhir circuit on Thursday. Red Bull has once again built the fastest ground-effects car and the double world champion has lost nothing of his edge. [ topping the first day of 2023 testing in Bahrain](https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/2023-f1-bahrain-test-verstappen-shades-alonso-to-top-opening-day-of-testing/10435581/) is the headline that Formula 1 probably didn’t want the media to be writing.

Reigning world champion Max Verstappen topped the timesheet on the opening day of Formula 1 pre-season testing in Bahrain as Red Bull received "positive ...

"A lot of laps, which is of course what we wanted. 18) Oscar Piastri 15) Yuki Tsunoda 14) Felipe Drugovich 10) Logan Sargeant 9) George Russell 7) Alex Albon 6) Lewis Hamilton 5) Lando Norris 4) Charles Leclerc 2) Fernando Alonso 1) Max Verstappen

F1 Academy is pleased to announce the calendar of the inaugural 2023 season which will comprise of seven rounds with a total of 21 races.

There is quite a gap in between Rounds 6 and 7, but that is mainly due to the fact that we will be sending the cars and equipment by ship, to save on logistical costs.” Our goal was to be able to race on as many Formula 1 Grand Prix tracks as possible, with circuits that could be a great challenge for the drivers. The season finale will involve the F1 Academy being a support event at the FORMULA 1 LENOVO UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX 2023.

Max Verstappen was looking more than satisfied to finish the first day of pre-season testing in Bahrain on top of the timesheets.

There are a lot of races on the calendar where you need different things from the car, so step-by-step.” “It was good," Verstappen said when he stepped out of the cockpit after the chequered flag brought the first day of testing to a close. "But the car is running well, and I think that’s the most important. "It's a bit of an evolution from last year. Compared to last year, there are few regulation changes coming into effect this season meaning that the upgrades on the 2023 cars are fairly minimal. "Indeed, we are more competitive than we were last year to start off."

The German manufacturer had an encouraging opening day to pre-season F1 testing in Bahrain on Thursday, its 2023 challenger proving to be much better ...

[PrimePrimeFormula 1 ](/f1/news/the-hard-numbers-behind-red-bulls-f1-cost-cap-penalty/10435004/) [PrimePrimeFormula 1 ](/f1/news/why-f1s-missing-piece-wont-play-on-his-nationality-for-success/10435390/) [PrimePrimeFormula 1 ](/f1/news/why-red-bulls-evolutionary-rb19-does-not-disappoint/10435559/) “The car has run faultlessly from start to finish and that has allowed us to complete an ambitious programme for day one,” he said. “We've got to keep pushing, focus on ourselves, and stay focused,” he explained. Hopefully the car continues to run like clockwork, and we can make the most of the remaining track time.”

Formula 1 has released the 2023 calendar, format and details for its inaugural all-female F1 Academy season.

To spice things up, the grid for the second race will be set by reversing the top eight finishers of the first qualifying session. ART Grand Prix, Campos Racing, Carlin, MP Motorsport and Prema Racing have all signed up for the championship. However, each round will feature three races.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen ended the first day of 2023 pre-season testing in Bahrain on top of the timesheets ahead of Fernando Alonso.

Rookie driver Logan Sargeant was tenth quickest just ahead of Nico Hulkenberg, returning to the sport this year with Haas. We were able to do the run plan and everything is going well." The most important thing was to do mileage, and we had no issues. After the break he managed to reduce his time by just over a tenth. C3 Verstappen was the only driver to stay in the cockpit all day, meaning that none of the others taking part managed to follow him past the 100 lap milestone.

The full results from the opening day of the F1 pre-season test at the Bahrain International Circuit.

[Download our F1 calendar](https://racingnews365.com/download-the-2023-f1-calendar-to-your-agenda) [click here](https://racingnews365.com/alonso-puts-in-surprise-effort-to-get-close-to-verstappen/). [Max Verstappen](/formula-1-drivers/max-verstappen) set the fastest lap of the day in Bahrain.

Follow live as Formula 1 pre-season testing continues in Bahrain ahead of the 2023 season with the second day of the single test.

[Formula 1 ](/f1/news/live-f1-bahrain-pre-season-test-day-2-10435694/10435694/) [Formula 1 ](/f1/news/the-250000-saving-behind-haas-f1-teams-mini-prat-perch/10435811/) [5Formula 1 ](/f1/news/2023-f1-bahrain-test-verstappen-shades-alonso-to-top-opening-day-of-testing/10435581/)

The second day of the F1 winter test in Bahrain is scheduled. Day two will see most of the drivers in action, again including Max Verstappen and Lewis ...

Don't miss anything from the second day of the winter test with the liveblog. [F1](/en/race-classes/F1) winter test in Bahrain is scheduled. The first day of winter testing went very smoothly on Thursday.

Formula 1 testing is underway in Bahrain and, with cars finally running in public, the first technical tricks that teams have deployed for 2023 are no ...

[PrimePrimeFormula 1 ](/f1/news/grand-prix-racings-forgotten-year-of-change/10434140/) [PrimePrimeFormula 1 ](/f1/news/the-alarm-that-still-sounds-from-the-fias-driver-expression-clampdown/10434901/) [PrimePrimeFormula 1 ](/f1/news/the-hard-numbers-behind-red-bulls-f1-cost-cap-penalty/10435004/) [PrimePrimeFormula 1 ](/f1/news/why-f1s-missing-piece-wont-play-on-his-nationality-for-success/10435390/) [PrimePrimeFormula 1 ](/f1/news/why-red-bulls-evolutionary-rb19-does-not-disappoint/10435559/) [ WEC ](/wec/news/nakajima-toyota-reserve-2023-drivers/10432227/) [ DTM ](/dtm/news/aitken-secures-dtm-seat-in-emil-frey-ferrari/10435820/) The Red Bull RB19 finally broke cover, giving us a wide array of details to examine. [ DTM ](/dtm/news/dtm-race-winners-preining-olsen-to-race-manthey-ema-porsches-in-2023/10435768/) [Giorgio Piola](https://www.giorgiopiola.com) [Motorsport Images](https://www.motorsportimages.com) [ Formula 1 ](/f1/news/alfa-romeo-looks-to-have-cured-two-key-weaknesses-with-its-f1-2023-car-/10435831/)

We're back in Bahrain! Follow us for all the live action as it happens on the second day of testing at the Sakhir International Circuit.

0930: Good morning and welcome back to the Bahrain International Circuit for the second day of pre-season testing. 0936: Day Two of testing sees Sergio Perez make his first appearance with the Mexican driver set to share the driving duties with his team-mate Max Verstappen. We’ll be getting underway in 30 minutes’ time for the first four-hour session of the day until 1415 local time. 1030: Alonso is winding up the AMR23 for a push run on the C2 tyre, that first attempt taking him P2, a couple of seconds shy of Magnussen. Sargeant has also decided now is the time to post a time, and it takes him P6 ahead of Norris. 1010: A 1:37.248 sets the early pace courtesy of Sainz, but that benchmark will come down massively. While the team ran Felipe Drugovich on Thursday morning, the reserve driver replacing the injured Lance Stroll, they’ve opted to only use Alonso for today’s running. The Mercedes W14 is up on the jacks as well getting some attention. Purple in all three sectors with what looked to be the C2 tyres bolted on. Promotion is available to new subscriptions only and discounted subscriptions will auto-renew to full price unless cancelled prior to the date of renewal. 1122: Zhou Guanyu is piecing together a strong, no-nonsense morning in the Alfa Romeo, sitting P5 and approaching the 20-lap mark. 1155: Ocon muscles his way into the top four, a second adrift of Sainz’s benchmark.

Haas is one of three teams, including Red Bull and Mercedes, to have mounted a winglet on the inboard rear quarter of the front wing endplate.

[PlusPlusFormula 1 ](/f1/news/grand-prix-racings-forgotten-year-of-change/10433989/) [PlusPlusFormula 1 ](/f1/news/the-alarm-that-still-sounds-from-the-fias-driver-expression-clampdown/10434686/) [PlusPlusFormula 1 ](/f1/news/why-red-bulls-evolutionary-rb19-does-not-disappoint/10435575/) [PlusPlusFormula 1Bahrain February Testing ](/f1/news/why-f1s-missing-piece-wont-play-on-his-nationality-for-success/10435087/) The flap is raised above the floor level and has a number of flow-diverting elements to help focus the airflow as it emerges from out under the floor. [PlusPlusFormula 1Bahrain February Testing ](/f1/news/what-we-learned-on-day-one-of-f1-testing-in-bahrain/10435650/) [PlusPlusFormula 1Bahrain February Testing ](/f1/news/has-f1s-porpoising-problem-been-eradicated-in-the-2023-cars/10435666/) The Red Bull RB19 finally broke cover, giving us a wide array of details to examine. [VASC Supercars ](/supercars/news/the-big-questions-facing-supercars-as-its-new-era-begins/10435843/) [Giorgio Piola](https://www.giorgiopiola.com) [WRC WRC ](/wrc/news/toyota-set-for-very-important-rally-mexico-wrc-pre-event-test/10435919/) [Motorsport Images](https://www.motorsportimages.com)

Alfa Romeo's new Formula 1 car appears to have cured two of the key weaknesses that held the team back last year, says its drivers.

[PrimePrimeFormula 1 ](/f1/news/why-red-bulls-evolutionary-rb19-does-not-disappoint/10435559/) "Many of the concepts were changed, like for example the cooling where we had multiple issues. "The main positive thing is that we didn't have a single issue, which is a huge contrast to testing last year," he said. This year we have tried to get back the performance we had early in the season. But that is nothing we cannot solve." This was a weakness last year, especially in the higher-speed corners, so that's good.

Formula 1's plans to ban tyre blankets from 2024 will face a final vote involving teams, the FIA and FOM after this year's British Grand Prix in July.

[PlusPlusFormula 1Bahrain February Testing ](/f1/news/does-f1-testing-need-an-injection-of-fresh-excitement/10436377/) "But it's not the same because F1 is a different championship. It is difficult." But it's a very big challenge. Pirelli's head of F1 and car racing Mario Isola told Autosport: "Silverstone is one of the races where we have two days of testing after the race. "I believe that it's a target of everyone to go in this direction for sustainability, but clearly nobody wants to damage the show.

Here are the testing results from the ongoing three-day event in Bahrain, where the second day is underway.

Bahrain F1 2023 Testing Results – Day 2 (3pm local time) F1 2023 Testing Results – Day 2 (Bahrain) [F1 2023 testing live: Updates and timings from Day 2 in Bahrain](https://www.planetf1.com/news/f1-testing-2023-bahrain-day-two-updates-timings/)

Mercedes' distinctive 2022 endplate was made illegal in the 2023 Formula 1 rules, but the team has found a way to replicate its effect.

Instead, the additions to Article 3.9.3 dictated the orientation and location of the intersections between the front wing profiles and the endplate in detail. Essentially Mercedes has responded to the rules putting new limits on where it could position certain elements of its wing design by finding a different space to place those elements so they still achieve the desired effect. Those on the second and third front wing elements (in red) are straightforward connections. What Mercedes opted to do is move the end of the front wing profiles slightly inboard then connect them to the endplate with narrow stays, which fulfils the requirement for continuity. The F1 show car shows a simple interpretation of these regulations, creating a gentle upward curve as the front wing profiles blend into the vertical endplate. This was removed for the first issue of the 2023 regulations to allow for greater precision.

Carlos Sainz set the pace as the second day of F1 2023 pre-season testing got underway in Bahrain. The Ferrari driver topped the timesheets with a lap of ...

[Yuki Tsunoda](/formula-1-drivers/yuki-tsunoda) was the driver to complete the most laps during the morning, with a lap count of 85. Ahead of the 2023 F1 season, RacingNews365.com journalists Dieter Rencken and Michael Butterworth look back on a winter break laden with intrigue and controversy. [Ferrari](/formula-1-teams/ferrari) driver topped the timesheets with a lap of 1:32.486, while [Williams](/formula-1-teams/williams) rookie Logan Sargeant was 0.063 seconds behind in P2.

Ferrari's Carlos Sainz set the fastest time on the second morning of Formula 1 2023 pre-season testing, holding off Williams rookie Logan Sargeant in ...

[PrimePrimeFormula 1 ](/f1/news/grand-prix-racings-forgotten-year-of-change/10434140/) [PrimePrimeFormula 1 ](/f1/news/the-alarm-that-still-sounds-from-the-fias-driver-expression-clampdown/10434901/) [PrimePrimeFormula 1 ](/f1/news/the-hard-numbers-behind-red-bulls-f1-cost-cap-penalty/10435004/) [PrimePrimeFormula 1 ](/f1/news/why-f1s-missing-piece-wont-play-on-his-nationality-for-success/10435390/) [PrimePrimeFormula 1 ](/f1/news/why-red-bulls-evolutionary-rb19-does-not-disappoint/10435559/) [Yuki Tsunoda](https://www.motorsport.com/driver/yuki-tsunoda/828523/) was Friday morning's productivity king, logging a mammoth 85 laps as he finished bottom on the timesheets. [PrimePrimeFormula 1Bahrain February Testing ](/f1/news/what-we-learned-on-day-one-of-f1-testing-in-bahrain/10435678/) On the second start, Norris provided some minor excitement by stalling ahead of Sainz, who had to swerve to avoid hitting the McLaren. [PrimePrimeFormula 1Bahrain February Testing ](/f1/news/f1-porpoising-problem-been-eradicated-in-the-2023-cars/10435684/) [ Formula 1 ](/f1/news/russell-mercedes-has-good-problems-to-solve-with-2023-f1-car/10435960/) The Mexican completed 76 laps, the best of which kept him in seventh. [ Formula 1 ](/f1/news/mclaren-failed-to-hit-development-targets-with-2023-f1-car-/10435975/)

Formula 1's plans to ban tyre blankets from 2024 will face a final vote involving teams, the FIA and FOM after this year's British Grand Prix in July.

[PrimePrimeFormula 1 ](/f1/news/why-f1s-missing-piece-wont-play-on-his-nationality-for-success/10435390/) [PrimePrimeFormula 1 ](/f1/news/why-red-bulls-evolutionary-rb19-does-not-disappoint/10435559/) It is difficult." "But it's not the same because F1 is a different championship. But it's a very big challenge. Pirelli's head of F1 and car racing Mario Isola told Motorsport.com: "Silverstone is one of the races where we have two days of testing after the race.

The race director decided to end Friday morning's testing session with a refresher for the drivers in what to do in a red flag situation and race restart, ...

But on a more serious note shortly after, as the session was red flagged for real, both noted that it was actually a fairly hairy situation. The first race start was aborted on purpose so the drivers could practice what to do in that situation and they all duly embarked upon another formation lap, as is procedure. But few of them took it seriously – almost causing a collision on the start-finish straight. He said: "Lights out and away we go, and a fantastic start... But everybody else remained stationary in their grid boxes, forcing Sainz and Hamilton to stop earlier than planned. But it ended with a very strange moment as a red flag test almost went horribly wrong.

The race director decided to end Friday morning's testing session with a refresher for the drivers in what to do in a red flag situation and race restart, ...

But on a more serious note shortly after, as the session was red flagged for real, both noted that it was actually a fairly hairy situation. The first race start was aborted on purpose so the drivers could practice what to do in that situation and they all duly embarked upon another formation lap, as is procedure. But few of them took it seriously – almost causing a collision on the start-finish straight. He said: "Lights out and away we go, and a fantastic start... But everybody else remained stationary in their grid boxes, forcing Sainz and Hamilton to stop earlier than planned. But it ended with a very strange moment as a red flag test almost went horribly wrong.

Mercedes' preparations for the new Formula 1 season took a major hit on the second day of pre-season testing after breaking down on track in Bahrain, ...

"We have some good developments coming - but so does every other single team in Formula 1. "It was a difficult morning," said Hamilton. Day Two "Reliability was again very good and we've been able to explore all the set-ups we targeted to test. Haas and Williams have also been quicker than predicted. Day One Test Day Bahrain pre-season test: Day Two timesheet

Alfa Romeo's Zhou Guanyu ended the second day of pre-season testing from the Bahrain International Circuit as the fastest driver.

Pre-season testing from Bahrain will continue on Saturday, which will mark the final day of running ahead of the new campaign. Running in the first half of the day was uninterrupted, but a red flag was called in the evening after George Russell came to a halt on the track. However, he will have just a half day of running on Saturday as the team has confirmed that Felipe Drugovich will be back behind the wheel once again as speculation grows that he will race in place of an injured Lance Stroll next week.