Bahrain Test: Leclerc fastest as radical Mercedes catches the eye

Charles Leclerc set the quickest time on the opening morning of Formula 1’s second pre-season test in Bahrain.

While Mercedes was the talk of the paddock due to a radical new ‘sidepod-less’ car, on the track, the Monegasque posted a 1m34.531s on the C3 tyre 90 minutes into the session to finish half a second clear of the field.

Alex Albon was second for Williams, completing a flier on the C4 compound with half an hour to go, ahead of Sebastian Vettel in third for Aston Martin.

In contrast, Sergio Perez did the most with 70 trips around the Sakhir circuit and the fourth-best time for Red Bull.

Lewis Hamilton sat fifth as Mercedes evaluated their revised W13 package, four-tenths faster than Esteban Ocon in the Alpine.

Looking to make up for poor reliability in Barcelona, Alfa Romeo managed 54 laps with rookie Guanyu Zhou, although a stoppage in the pit-lane did indicate the technical niggles were still not fully resolved.

McLaren sat eighth after a tricky start as Daniel Ricciardo was unable to take part through illness.

With Lando Norris called up for a full day of running, a suspected issue cost the team more time as the Briton managed just 21 laps.

Pierre Gasly was the slowest driver in the AM session, while freight delays mean Haas are targeting to hit on the track in the afternoon as preparations continue in the garage.

Full results from the morning can be seen below: