Lewis Hamilton continued to impress on the second morning of preseason testing in Bahrain, setting the fastest time of the day with a 1:29.379 in his new Ferrari Formula 1 car. Despite intermittent rain showers, Hamilton managed to complete 45 laps, demonstrating his adaptability and skill.

Key Highlights

• Fastest Lap: Hamilton's lap on the C3 compound tyre would have secured him second place on the grid at the 2024 Bahrain Grand Prix, highlighting his competitive edge.
• Mercedes Comparison: His lap was 0.331 seconds faster than his qualifying lap with Mercedes last year, showing significant improvement.
• Team Performance: George Russell in the Mercedes was second fastest, 0.399 seconds behind Hamilton, also using the C3 compound. Carlos Sainz in the Williams was third, albeit on the harder C2 compound.

Morning Session Overview

The morning session saw minimal disruptions, with only brief rain affecting the track. Esteban Ocon ventured out on intermediate tyres during the rain, but the session concluded without major incidents. A minor collision occurred between Oscar Piastri's McLaren and Nico Hulkenberg's Sauber, but neither car sustained significant damage.

Driver Schedules

Carlos Sainz and Liam Lawson are set to complete a full day of testing, while other drivers will swap with their teammates during the lunch break. This strategy aims to maximize track time and gather crucial data ahead of the season opener in Australia.

Morning Session Lap Times

1. Lewis Hamilton - Ferrari - 1:29.379 - 45 laps
2. George Russell - Mercedes - 1:29.778 - 71 laps
3. Carlos Sainz - Williams - 1:30.090 - 44 laps
4. Pierre Gasly - Alpine - 1:30.430 - 40 laps
5. Fernando Alonso - Aston Martin - 1:30.700 - 45 laps
6. Yuki Tsunoda - Racing Bulls - 1:30.793 - 46 laps
7. Oscar Piastri - McLaren - 1:30.821 - 44 laps
8. Liam Lawson - Red Bull - 1:31.233 - 28 laps
9. Nico Hulkenberg - Sauber - 1:31.457 - 56 laps
10. Esteban Ocon - Haas - 1:33.071 - 69 laps

With the season fast approaching, Hamilton's performance in Bahrain is a promising indicator of Ferrari's potential in the upcoming races.