Carlos Sainz dominates Day 2 of Bahrain pre-season Formula 1 testing

The Scuderia Ferrari driver not only claimed the top spot but set a new benchmark for lap times at the event, clocking an impressive 1:29.921 on the challenging track.

Sainz's stellar performance saw him outpace his rivals by over seven-tenths of a second, firmly establishing Ferrari's prowess ahead of the upcoming Formula 1 season. The Spaniard's achievement was highlighted by his mastery over the C4 tire, showcasing both the car's capabilities and the driver's finesse.

Taking over from teammate Charles Leclerc in the afternoon, Sainz's seamless transition to the track contrasted with Ferrari's earlier setback. Leclerc, who had initially set the pace, encountered an unfortunate incident as a loose drain cover damaged his car, limiting his time on the circuit.

Sergio Perez, representing Red Bull Racing, secured the second-fastest time of the day, building on his team's success from the previous session. Despite facing challenges, including a crawling pit lane return due to a minor issue in the afternoon and brake problems earlier in the day, Perez impressively completed 129 laps – the highest count among all drivers.

Notably, Daniel Ricciardo of Visa Cash App RB F1 Team joined the exclusive club of drivers opting for red-walled tires, resulting in a fifth-place finish. The British duo of Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris claimed the third and fourth positions, respectively, highlighting the competitive landscape of the testing sessions.

The day's events included a disruption to the morning session, ending an hour early for circuit repairs. However, the afternoon session compensated with an additional hour, allowing teams to make up for lost time. Hamilton and Logan Sargeant were the only other drivers to surpass the 100-lap milestone, showcasing the durability and reliability of their machinery.

As the Bahrain pre-season testing unfolded, the standings revealed promising performances from various teams, setting the stage for an exhilarating Formula 1 season ahead. With Sainz's record-breaking lap, Ferrari has sent a clear message to its competitors, signalling their readiness to contend for top honours in 2024.

2024 F1 Bahrain Pre-Season Testing - Day 2 Results  

1 Carlos Sainz ESP Ferrari 1m29.921s - Laps 84
2 Sergio Perez MEX Red Bull Racing 1m30.679s - 129
3 Lewis Hamilton GBR Mercedes 1m31.066s - 123
4 Lando Norris GBR McLaren 1m31.256s - 52
5 Daniel Ricciardo AUS Visa RB F1 Team 1m31.361s - 88
6 Charles Leclerc MON Ferrari 1m31.750s - 54
7 Lance Stroll CAN Aston Martin 1m32.029s - 96
8 Esteban Ocon FRA BWT Alpine 1m32.061s - 78
9 Valtteri Bottas FIN Stake F1 Sauber 1m32.227s - 97
10 Oscar Piastri AUS McLaren 1m32.328s - 35
11 Logan Sargeant USA Williams 1m32.578s 117
12 Fernando Alonso ESP Aston Martin 1m33.053s - 31
13 Zhou Guanyu CHN Stake F1 Sauber 1m33.715s - 38
14 Pierre Gasly FRA BWT Alpine 1m33.804s - 33
15 Kevin Magnussen DEN Haas F1 1m36.611s - 93
16 Nico Hulkenberg GER Haas F1 1m37.509s - 31
17 Yuki Tsunoda JPN RB F1 Team 1m38.074s - 40

Read More: Loose drain cover halts Formula One day two testing in Bahrain (planetsport.com)