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Writer's pictureDaisy Rockett

Bahrain pre-testing - Day 3

So all the drivers have had three days to get a taste of their new race car for the season. 


Some drivers have not been as lucky as some with red flags and problems with their car but nevertheless all have had the chance to get an insight into what's to come for themself. 


At the end of today, it became a different drive with weather conditions changing becoming cooler than they have been. 


Another red flag came into action only half an hour in with the same issue from the previous day.


Unlucky for Perez he was at the forefront of the problem driving over the loose drain.


Track repairs were made leaving the day carried through without a break. 


Ferrari finished the final day with another driver at the top, Leclerc finishing with a time of 1.30 beating Verstappen's time on day one.


Running on Pirelli C5 compounds to achieve this isn’t solidifying a consistent run for the Bahrain Grand Prix with it is looking like the C3 compound tyres are going to be dominating the race weekend.


After last year's difficult car, SF-24 Ferrari has seemed to have nipped previous issues in the bud for this year's car which both drivers have agreed powering over Red Bull. 


Russell landed second showing us a stable and solid Mercedes car with more laps than Hamilton in the morning with 64. 


Guanyu surprised us and stepped up for Sauber and was not far from the swift Mercedes.  


Verstappen took over Perez creeping up behind the Swiss team and showed experimentation with flo vis for some part of the pre testing on one side of his car, hinting at potential race simulation runs. 


Tsunoda took fifth providing lots of confidence for the team and fans.


Albon achieved the highest mileage with a total of 121 laps taking position six as the only solo driver of the day. 


The top three became quicker at the end leading close results. 


Mclaren made an appearance not only on the track but on Bahrain tower. 


The team paid tribute to former race car driver and Mclaren sporting director, Gil De Ferran who passed away at the end of last year. 


To do this they lit Bahrain tower up within the frenchmans racing colours and Norris wore a tribute helmet throughout testing. 


Piastri reached place seven with some clutch issues in the way leading Norris to take over early.


Alonso reached the top ten but is still not showing signs of strength but could turn around and change, which qualifying will confirm.    


Another Ferrari on the list but a very different twist than yesterday as Sainz came ninth.


Are Red Bull sandbagging?


Will things change for qualifying next week?


As Verstappen wasn’t the only one struggling with Perez placed tenth compared to their full days alone. 


And the programmes are now complete!


The teams have time now to examine their results and data ready for race day which is less than a week away.


The race weekend spans from Feb 29 to March 2 if you haven't already saved the dates.


Don’t forget as well the first two races are on a Saturday not the normal Sunday due to Ramadan.


There are still lots we don't know as pre-testing is not definitively the answers to how next week will go and where the teams are at. 


Qualifying will secure the grid and give us all the answers. 


For now it's time for the VCS to start doing tests for the big day.





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