Charles Leclerc of Ferrari recorded the quickest lap time during the final morning session of Formula 1 preseason testing at the Bahrain International Circuit. The top three drivers were very close, separated by just 0.132 seconds.
Leclerc’s best lap was 1:30.811, putting him 0.077 seconds ahead of Mercedes’ rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli. McLaren’s Lando Norris finished third fastest.
These drivers concluded their pre-season testing in the morning session, before handing over their cars to teammates for the afternoon. This was their last run before the first practice session at the Australian Grand Prix, which is the season opener.
Leclerc’s time was 0.463 seconds slower than the overall fastest time of the test, set by Carlos Sainz (in Williams on Thursday), and 0.380 seconds off Leclerc’s own fastest time from Thursday.
Max Verstappen, driving for Red Bull on the final day, was 0.398 seconds behind Leclerc’s leading time. Red Bull’s performance, particularly when Liam Lawson drove on Thursday, appeared to be slightly behind McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes. However, teams often do not reveal their full potential during testing.
The morning session was briefly stopped when glass fell from the start-finish gantry onto the track. The session was paused for about ten minutes while track marshals cleared the debris.
Morning Session Lap Times
- Charles Leclerc – Ferrari – 1:30.811 – 66 laps
- Kimi Antonelli – Mercedes – 1:30.888 – 61 laps
- Lando Norris – McLaren- 1:30.943 – 57 laps
- Max Verstappen – Red Bull – 1:31.209 – 47 laps
- Jack Doohan – Alpine – 1:31.239 – 61 laps
- Alex Albon – Williams – 1:31.444 – 58 laps
- Isack Hadjar – Racing Bulls – 1:31.761 – 73 laps
- Fernando Alonso – Aston Martin – 1:32.084 – 49 laps
- Gabriel Bortoleto – Sauber – 1:32.147 – 35 laps
- Oliver Bearman – Haas – 1:32.361 – 59 laps
In the afternoon session, eight teams planned to change drivers. Red Bull was scheduled to continue with Verstappen, and Williams with Albon.
There were questions about Lance Stroll’s participation on the final day due to illness, but Aston Martin confirmed he would replace Fernando Alonso in the afternoon.
