Formula 1

Bahrain F1 Test: Leclerc leads morning session on Day 3

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Charles Leclerc set the fastest time of Formula 1 pre-season testing so far on the final morning in Bahrain.

The Monegasque posted a 1m31.024s on the C4 tyre compound midway through the session, as he completed his final stint for Ferrari before handing over to Carlos Sainz in the afternoon.

After a difficult Friday curtailed by a hydraulics problem, Mercedes appeared to get their test back on track as George Russell managed 83 laps in the W14 on Saturday morning.

Slightly concerning though was the pace as the Briton finished second, four-tenths behind Leclerc despite using the C5 tyres, the softest in the Pirelli range.

With Lance Stroll's participation in the Bahrain Grand Prix next weekend in doubt, F2 champion Felipe Drugovich returned to action for Aston Martin and was third fastest.

Sergio Perez completed 69 laps and was fourth for Red Bull, ahead of Pierre Gasly in fifth for Alpine. While Alex Albon led Nico Hulkenberg in sixth and seventh.

Oscar Piastri took eighth but only completed 44 laps, the fewest of anyone, as structural issues with the front wheel brow persisted on the McLaren.

Valtteri Bottas was seen porpoising in the Alfa Romeo before a gearbox problem triggered a red flag and ended the Finn's morning early.

Nyck De Vries focused solely on long-run pace as he finished slowest in the AlphaTauri.

The Dutchman though did complete the most laps with an impressive 87 tours of the Sakhir circuit in the opening four-and-a-quarter hours of running.

With the exception of Perez, Albon and Bottas, the remaining seven teams will swap drivers for the afternoon/evening session, the final chance to complete all-important preparations ahead of the opening race of 2023 next weekend.

Full results from the morning can be seen below:

 

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