Published February 23,2023
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Formula One champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull topped the primary day of pre-season testing in Bahrain on Thursday forward of two-time world champion Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin.
The Dutch driver accomplished 157 laps throughout the morning and afternoon classes, with a finest time of 1 minute 32.837 seconds. Red Bull saved Verstappen within the automotive all day, whereas the vast majority of groups opted to separate their working over the 2 classes.
“We could really focus on the car, try a few things, to understand also the new tyres for this year. We got loads of running during the day when it was really hot, or kind of hot, and in the evening as well – so a pretty okay day,” Verstappen was quoted by the F1 official web site.
“[The car is] a bit of an evolution from last year. I think last year was more a time where you were really adapting to the car, really understanding what you had to do,” he added.
Verstappen this believes “it’s already a much easier start for everyone” because of “all the knowledge from last year,” when F1 made main modifications to its automotive rules and groups noticed themselves with a clean sheet of paper.
Alonso, who shared testing duties with reserve driver Felipe Drugovich, was 0.029 second off the tempo after finishing the afternoon session.
Drugovich changed common Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll, who suffered an accident while coaching on a motorbike in preparation for the season. It’s nonetheless unclear whether or not Stroll will probably be match for the opening Bahrain Grand Prix on March 5.
Ferrari drivers Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc find yourself third and fourth respectively, whereas Mercedes have been sixth with seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton and ninth with George Russell.
Among the rookies, Logan Sargeant of Williams posted one of the best time and completed tenth, whereas Nico Hülkenberg of Haas, who’s returning after three years away from the common grid, was eleventh.
Second day of testing is on Friday, with the final two classes scheduled for Saturday.
Source: www.anews.com.tr
