Lewis Hamilton set the fastest time yesterday on day one of Formula 1 in-season testing at Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) in Sakhir.
Hamilton registered a best lap of one minute 31.358 seconds while completing 97 laps of work.
Antonio Giovinazzi, driving for Ferrari, had the second-best time of the day, running 0.626s slower than the leading Mercedes. Daniel Ricciardo of Red Bull Racing was classified third on the timesheet. He was 0.991s slower than Hamilton.
Romain Grosjean of Haas was fourth 1.094s off the pace, while Felipe Massa of Williams was fifth 1.151 seconds back.
Nico Hulkenberg for Renault followed 2.266s from the leader, while Lance Stroll of Williams was seventh 2.371s behind. Sean Gelael Toro Rosso rounded out the top eight 2.527s back.
Sebastian Vettel (+2.536s), who was testing for Pirelli, was ranked ninth; while Alfoso Celis (+2.581s) of Force India, Marcus Ericsson (+3.192s) of Sauber and Oliver Turvey (+3.653s) for McLaren completed the 12-car classification.
These BIC test sessions are the first of two in-season tests this Formula 1 season. The other is scheduled for August 1 and 2.
According to FIA regulations, from 10 days before the start of the season to the end of the calendar year, the teams are permitted to take part in two team tests of no more than two consecutive days at circuits where an event has just taken place. These tests must commence no less than 36 hours after the end of said event.
Silverstone was initially lined up to host the second in-season group test, as in 2016, but this has now been switched to the Hungaroring, the final action before the sport’s summer break.
All 10 Formula 1 teams are testing at BIC. Action continues today from 9am to 6pm.
Formula 1 teams are permitted to run one car during in-season running, while two of the four days must be allocated to drivers who have started fewer than two Grands Prix.
This is also according to FIA rules, which state that two days of each in-season test must be allocated to young driver training. A young driver is classified as someone who has competed two or fewer Grands Prix.
The in-season test in Bahrain will also help assist Formula 1 tyre suppliers Pirelli with warm weather tyre development.
For more information, visit the official BIC website www.bahraingp.com or call the BIC Hotline on +973-17-450000.