On the first day of the pre-season tests of Formula 1 in Bahrain, British McLaren driver Lando Norris set the best time. Norris completed 52 laps and his best time was 1:30.430. He was followed in the standings by his compatriot George Russell from Mercedes at 157 milliseconds and four-time champion Max Verstappen from Red Bull in third place at 244 milliseconds.
In the morning session, Italian Kimi Antonelli from Mercedes led with a time of 1:31.428. These tests will last for three days; each day there are four-hour sessions in the morning and afternoon, with one driver per team per shift.
One of the most anticipated moments was the debut of Lewis Hamilton, seven-time world champion, with Ferrari. Hamilton finished in thirteenth place, nearly one and a half seconds behind Norris.
Australian Jack Doohan, who is on the radar of Argentine followers due to the possible arrival of Franco Colapinto at Alpine, finished in fourteenth place in the morning tests, 1.411 seconds behind the leader.
The complete results of the first day of pre-season tests in Bahrain are as follows: - Lando Norris (McLaren): 1:30.430 - George Russell (Mercedes): +0.157 - Max Verstappen (Red Bull): +0.244 - Charles Leclerc (Ferrari): +0.448 - Carlos Sainz Jr.: +0.525 - Pierre Gasly: +0.923 - Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes): +0.998 - Liam Lawson (Red Bull): +1.130 - Alexander Albon (Williams): +1.143 - Yuki Tsunoda (Racing Bulls): +1.180 - Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls): +1.201 - Gabriel Bortoleto (Kick Sauber): +1.260 - Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari): +1.404 - Jack Doohan (Alpine): +1.411 - Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin): +1.444 - Lance Stroll (Aston Martin): +1.519 - Oscar Piastri (McLaren): +1.654 - Nico Hulkenberg (Kick Sauber): +1.739 - Esteban Ocon (Haas): +3.170 - Oliver Bearman (Haas): +5.092.
