F1 testing LIVE: Schedule, lap times and live stream with Sergio Perez quickest

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It’s two down, one to go in Formula 1 pre-season testing, with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen the standout performer in Bahrain so far.

The reigning world champion was the quickest driver on Thursday and was 0.040 seconds away from repeating the feat on Friday, before being pipped to top spot by Zhou Guanyu late on, though the Chinese driver was driving on the softest tyre.

However it was a torrid day for Mercedes, with Lewis Hamilton struggling with the balance of the W14 this morning before George Russell was forced to stop out on track this evening due to a hydraulics issue.

Saturday sees the final day of testing - afternoon session starts at 12:15 (GMT) - at the Bahrain International Circuit before all eyes turn to the first race of the season – also in the Gulf kingdom – next weekend.

Follow all the action from day three of F1 pre-season testing in Bahrain

F1 PRE-SEASON TESTING - LIVE

F1 testing LIVE: Why testing takes on greater significance this year as new season dawns

16:02 , Kieran Jackson

By Kieran Jackson

Time to find your helmet, don your fireproof gloves and pack your bags. Because 95 days after we said goodbye to Daniel Ricciardo and Sebastian Vettel in Abu Dhabi, Formula 1 chugs back into life this weekend as the start of the 2023 season dawns. The car launch season, from the tempered-down to the over-the-top, has concluded and finally we will see cars on track with the first – and much-maligned only – official pre-season test of the season. Where? Bahrain. Also the location where, 11 days from now, motorsport’s greatest show goes racing once more.

Yet while an undertone of eager excitement will immerse fans the world over at the sight of fresh – or perhaps not so fresh – liveries at the Bahrain International Circuit, such delirium won’t be mirrored in the paddock. Rather, it’s back down to business. Tick off your checklist. Screw your nuts and bolts. Contrary to the zing in the air, a wave of apprehension will blow over the paddock and its personnel.

Testing is a strange phenomenon. On the whole, the timesheets are not said to be the priority. Instead, its tweaking set-ups. Trialling different parts. Attaching aero-rakes and dashes of green paint to analyse airflow. Some teams even swing the other way; sandbagging the car’s true performance to disguise their potential from their competitors.

That all being said, this three-day testing window does take on more significance than years gone by. Usually, the teams also come together in Barcelona for at minimum a shakedown. Or perhaps Jerez on the southern Spanish coast. This year though, with 2022’s drastic regulation changes only moderately tinkered with in the off-season – a slightly raised ride-height the most noteworthy change – drivers will only have a day-and-a-half of running to tune their cars appropriately and iron out any issues.

Three days in total and bang: we’re into the first Grand Prix weekend of 23. That’s the number of races, it should be said, not just the year.

Why F1 pre-season testing takes on greater significance this year

F1 testing LIVE: UPDATE

15:32 , Kieran Jackson

Just an hour left of testing and it’s now Red Bull who are top dogs again! Sergio Perez - who is driving all day - goes fastest with a 1:30:616 on the C4 tyre!

Lewis Hamilton is second, on the C5 tyre, 0.048 seconds off the Red Bull, before the pair of Ferraris in third and fourth respectively.

Nice lap from Yuki Tsunoda to go fifth fastest...

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

F1 testing LIVE: Lewis Hamilton has a Mercedes ready to win world championship again, says Toto Wolff

15:05 , Kieran Jackson

Toto Wolff has sent out a defiant message by declaring Mercedes are ready to carry Lewis Hamilton to a record eighth world championship.

In stark contrast to the doom and gloom which last year engulfed the Silver Arrows as their jumpy machine hit the track for the first time, team principal Wolff painted a rosier picture 12 months on.

Porpoising – the phenomenon where a car bounces up and down on its suspension – contributed to, statistically at least, Hamilton’s worst season in Formula One.

But a new FIA directive to raise the floor edges of this season’s cars by 15mm to mitigate the problem has removed the thorn in Mercedes’ side.

And although it was double world champion Max Verstappen who picked up where he left of by posting the fastest time in the first test session on day one of three in Bahrain – 1.2 seconds clear of George Russell in the all-black Mercedes – Wolff hinted that his team is primed to challenge.

Toto Wolff: Lewis Hamilton has a Mercedes ready to win world championship again

F1 testing LIVE: Who’s in action this afternoon?

14:54 , Kieran Jackson

Here are those driving in this afternoon session on day three!

Red Bull

Sergio Perez (all day)

Ferrari

Carlos Sainz

Mercedes

Lewis Hamilton

Alpine

Esteban Ocon

McLaren

Lando Norris

Alfa Romeo

Valtteri Bottas (all day)

Aston Martin

Fernando Alonso

Haas

Kevin Magnussen

AlphaTauri

Yuki Tsunoda

Williams

Alex Albon (all day)

F1 testing LIVE: Verstappen spotted!

14:47 , Kieran Jackson

He’s not taking part in testing today - but he’s always keeping an eye on proceedings!

F1 testing LIVE: UPDATE!

14:29 , Kieran Jackson

Here come the Ferraris!

Carlos Sainz has jonied Charles Leclerc at the top of the leaderboard - and he’s so close to this team-mate! Leclerc ahead by 0.012 seconds to Sainz!

Elsehwere, a bit of hope for Mercedes? Lewis Hamilton is nine-tenths off, on the C3 tyre, in sixth!

1-10 overall: Leclerc, Sainz, Russell, Alonso, Perez, Hamilton, Drugovich, Gasly, Albon, Hulkenberg

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Drive to Survive: Season 5 REVIEW - OUT NOW!

14:09 , Kieran Jackson

Time to find your helmet, don your fireproof gloves and pack your bags. Because 95 days after we said goodbye to Daniel Ricciardo and Sebastian Vettel in Abu Dhabi, Formula 1 chugs back into life this weekend as the start of the 2023 season dawns. The car launch season, from the tempered-down to the over-the-top, has concluded and finally we will see cars on track with the first – and much-maligned only – official pre-season test of the season. Where? Bahrain. Also the location where, 11 days from now, motorsport’s greatest show goes racing once more.

Yet while an undertone of eager excitement will immerse fans the world over at the sight of fresh – or perhaps not so fresh – liveries at the Bahrain International Circuit, such delirium won’t be mirrored in the paddock. Rather, it’s back down to business. Tick off your checklist. Screw your nuts and bolts. Contrary to the zing in the air, a wave of apprehension will blow over the paddock and its personnel.

Testing is a strange phenomenon. On the whole, the timesheets are not said to be the priority. Instead, its tweaking set-ups. Trialling different parts. Attaching aero-rakes and dashes of green paint to analyse airflow. Some teams even swing the other way; sandbagging the car’s true performance to disguise their potential from their competitors.

That all being said, this three-day testing window does take on more significance than years gone by. Usually, the teams also come together in Barcelona for at minimum a shakedown. Or perhaps Jerez on the southern Spanish coast. This year though, with 2022’s drastic regulation changes only moderately tinkered with in the off-season – a slightly raised ride-height the most noteworthy change – drivers will only have a day-and-a-half of running to tune their cars appropriately and iron out any issues.

Three days in total and bang: we’re into the first Grand Prix weekend of 23. That’s the number of races, it should be said, not just the year.

Drive to Survive review: Wolff rages at Horner in foul-mouthed flashpoint of season 5

F1 testing LIVE: Who’s in action this afternoon?

13:58 , Kieran Jackson

Here are those driving in this afternoon session on day three!

Red Bull

Sergio Perez (all day)

Ferrari

Carlos Sainz

Mercedes

Lewis Hamilton

Alpine

Esteban Ocon

McLaren

Lando Norris

Alfa Romeo

Valtteri Bottas (all day)

Aston Martin

Fernando Alonso

Haas

Kevin Magnussen

AlphaTauri

Yuki Tsunoda

Williams

Alex Albon (all day)

F1 testing LIVE: Why testing takes on greater significance this year as new season dawns

13:45 , Kieran Jackson

By Kieran Jackson

Time to find your helmet, don your fireproof gloves and pack your bags. Because 95 days after we said goodbye to Daniel Ricciardo and Sebastian Vettel in Abu Dhabi, Formula 1 chugs back into life this weekend as the start of the 2023 season dawns. The car launch season, from the tempered-down to the over-the-top, has concluded and finally we will see cars on track with the first – and much-maligned only – official pre-season test of the season. Where? Bahrain. Also the location where, 11 days from now, motorsport’s greatest show goes racing once more.

Yet while an undertone of eager excitement will immerse fans the world over at the sight of fresh – or perhaps not so fresh – liveries at the Bahrain International Circuit, such delirium won’t be mirrored in the paddock. Rather, it’s back down to business. Tick off your checklist. Screw your nuts and bolts. Contrary to the zing in the air, a wave of apprehension will blow over the paddock and its personnel.

Testing is a strange phenomenon. On the whole, the timesheets are not said to be the priority. Instead, its tweaking set-ups. Trialling different parts. Attaching aero-rakes and dashes of green paint to analyse airflow. Some teams even swing the other way; sandbagging the car’s true performance to disguise their potential from their competitors.

That all being said, this three-day testing window does take on more significance than years gone by. Usually, the teams also come together in Barcelona for at minimum a shakedown. Or perhaps Jerez on the southern Spanish coast. This year though, with 2022’s drastic regulation changes only moderately tinkered with in the off-season – a slightly raised ride-height the most noteworthy change – drivers will only have a day-and-a-half of running to tune their cars appropriately and iron out any issues.

Three days in total and bang: we’re into the first Grand Prix weekend of 23. That’s the number of races, it should be said, not just the year.

Why F1 pre-season testing takes on greater significance this year

F1 testing LIVE: UPDATE

13:35 , Kieran Jackson

Still a whole load of long runs at the moment; not much in the way of times impacting the top of the leaderboard.

Esteban Ocon quickest out of all of those running this afternoon - ninth overall - with Carlos Sainz second-fastest.

Valuable laps though, as the sun begins to set over the circuit!

F1-PRUEBAS (AP)
F1-PRUEBAS (AP)

F1 testing LIVE: Day two report

13:16 , Kieran Jackson

It’s two down, one to go in Formula 1 pre-season testing, with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen the standout performer in Bahrain so far.

The reigning world champion was the quickest driver on Thursday and was 0.040 seconds away from repeating the feat on Friday, before being pipped to top spot by Zhou Guanyu late on, though the Chinese driver was driving on the softest tyre.

However it was a torrid day for Mercedes, with Lewis Hamilton struggling with the balance of the W14 this morning before George Russell was forced to stop out on track this evening due to a hydraulics issue.

Saturday sees the final day of testing at the Bahrain International Circuit before all eyes turn to the first race of the season – also in the Gulf kingdom – next weekend.

Here’s what we learned from day two of F1 testing:

F1 testing: What we learned on day two in Bahrain

F1 testing LIVE: UPDATE

12:50 , Kieran Jackson

45 mins in to the afternoon and Carlos Sainz is the quickest man on track, posting a time which puts him ninth overall.

Lando Norris is second-fastest, while Esteban Ocon is third out of all the afternoon runners.

Meanwhile, the bumpiness hasn’t stopped around the Bahrain International Circuit!

F1 testing LIVE: Who’s in action this afternoon?

12:29 , Kieran Jackson

Here are those driving in this afternoon session on day three!

Red Bull

Sergio Perez (all day)

Ferrari

Carlos Sainz

Mercedes

Lewis Hamilton

Alpine

Esteban Ocon

McLaren

Lando Norris

Alfa Romeo

Valtteri Bottas (all day)

Aston Martin

Fernando Alonso

Haas

Kevin Magnussen

AlphaTauri

Yuki Tsunoda

Williams

Alex Albon (all day)

F1 testing LIVE: Final session is underway!

12:15 , Kieran Jackson

We’re underway with the final session of F1 pre-season testing in Bahrain!

Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz are among the final 10 drivers out on track - their last chance to get to grips with the car before next week’s first Grand Prix weekend of the season!

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

F1 testing LIVE: Lewis Hamilton has a Mercedes ready to win world championship again, says Toto Wolff

11:59 , Kieran Jackson

Toto Wolff has sent out a defiant message by declaring Mercedes are ready to carry Lewis Hamilton to a record eighth world championship.

In stark contrast to the doom and gloom which last year engulfed the Silver Arrows as their jumpy machine hit the track for the first time, team principal Wolff painted a rosier picture 12 months on.

Porpoising – the phenomenon where a car bounces up and down on its suspension – contributed to, statistically at least, Hamilton’s worst season in Formula One.

But a new FIA directive to raise the floor edges of this season’s cars by 15mm to mitigate the problem has removed the thorn in Mercedes’ side.

And although it was double world champion Max Verstappen who picked up where he left of by posting the fastest time in the first test session on day one of three in Bahrain – 1.2 seconds clear of George Russell in the all-black Mercedes – Wolff hinted that his team is primed to challenge.

Toto Wolff: Lewis Hamilton has a Mercedes ready to win world championship again

F1 testing LIVE: Why testing takes on greater significance this year as new season dawns

11:44 , Kieran Jackson

By Kieran Jackson

Time to find your helmet, don your fireproof gloves and pack your bags. Because 95 days after we said goodbye to Daniel Ricciardo and Sebastian Vettel in Abu Dhabi, Formula 1 chugs back into life this weekend as the start of the 2023 season dawns. The car launch season, from the tempered-down to the over-the-top, has concluded and finally we will see cars on track with the first – and much-maligned only – official pre-season test of the season. Where? Bahrain. Also the location where, 11 days from now, motorsport’s greatest show goes racing once more.

Yet while an undertone of eager excitement will immerse fans the world over at the sight of fresh – or perhaps not so fresh – liveries at the Bahrain International Circuit, such delirium won’t be mirrored in the paddock. Rather, it’s back down to business. Tick off your checklist. Screw your nuts and bolts. Contrary to the zing in the air, a wave of apprehension will blow over the paddock and its personnel.

Testing is a strange phenomenon. On the whole, the timesheets are not said to be the priority. Instead, its tweaking set-ups. Trialling different parts. Attaching aero-rakes and dashes of green paint to analyse airflow. Some teams even swing the other way; sandbagging the car’s true performance to disguise their potential from their competitors.

That all being said, this three-day testing window does take on more significance than years gone by. Usually, the teams also come together in Barcelona for at minimum a shakedown. Or perhaps Jerez on the southern Spanish coast. This year though, with 2022’s drastic regulation changes only moderately tinkered with in the off-season – a slightly raised ride-height the most noteworthy change – drivers will only have a day-and-a-half of running to tune their cars appropriately and iron out any issues.

Three days in total and bang: we’re into the first Grand Prix weekend of 23. That’s the number of races, it should be said, not just the year.

Why F1 pre-season testing takes on greater significance this year

F1 testing LIVE: MORNING CLASSIFICATION

11:33 , Kieran Jackson

Here’s all the numbers you need after that first four hours or so of running in Bahrain

F1 testing LIVE: MORNING SESSION DONE!

11:16 , Kieran Jackson

After a few starting grid procedures, that’s that for the morning session on the final day of testing!

Charles Leclerc, on the C4 tyre, goes quickest with a 1:31:024, while George Russell is in second - 0.418 seconds off the pace - on the technically faster C5 tyre.

Felipe Drugovich, who could well fill in for Lance Stroll next week at race No 1, comes home third, on the C5 tyre.

4-10: Perez, Gasly, Albon, Hulkenberg, Piastri, Bottas, De Vries

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

F1 testing LIVE: UPDATE!

10:57 , Kieran Jackson

20 mins to go as the drivers get in their final laps around the Bahrain International Circuit for this testing window.

Most drivers just going through some long race runs, so not setting leaderboard-impacting times.

Still, valuable time out on track!

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

F1 testing LIVE: UPDATE!

10:39 , Kieran Jackson

Charles Leclerc and George Russell, who are both currently in the pits, still lead the way at the top of the leaderboard - with the Ferrari man’s time four-tenths quicker than the Mercedes... on a slower C4 tyre than the C5!

3-10: Drugovich, Perez, Gasly, Albon, Hulkenberg, Piastri, Bottas, De Vries

Just over half-an-hour of running left this morning. Bottas, meanwhile, says he “lost drive” as his car grinded to a halt. Unlikely to feature again this session...

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

F1 testing LIVE: Green flag!

10:17 , Kieran Jackson

The car has been removed and we’re back underway at the Bahrain International Circuit!

Just one hour left for the morning session. So for Leclerc, Russell, Drugovich, Gasly, Hulkenberg, Piastri and De Vries - their final hour to get to grips with the car before all the action gets underway next weekend!

F1 testing LIVE: RED FLAG!

09:58 , Kieran Jackson

With 1hr 20 mins left, we have a red flag - Valtteri Bottas has stopped out on track!

Looks like the Alfa Romeo has a mechanical issue - the Finn has stopped outside turn 10. Off the circuit, but it’ll need to be removed. Gearbox issue, perhaps?

Pause in driving for the time being!

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

F1 testing LIVE: Who’s in action this morning?

09:56 , Kieran Jackson

Here are those driving in this morning’s session on day three!

Red Bull

Sergio Perez

Ferrari

Charles Leclerc

Mercedes

George Russell

Alpine

Pierre Gasly

McLaren

Oscar Piastri

Alfa Romeo

Valtteri Bottas

Aston Martin

Felipe Drugovich

Haas

Nico Hulkenberg

AlphaTauri

Nyck de Vries

Williams

Alex Albon

F1 testing LIVE: Fernando Alonso...

09:44 , Kieran Jackson

Two-time world champion keeping an eye on the Aston Martin test driver Drugovich this morning...

F1 testing LIVE: UPDATE

09:33 , Kieran Jackson

Felipe Drugovich, filling in for Lance Stroll at testing, is up to third in this morning session in the Aston Martin - 1.051 seconds behind pace-setter Charles Leclerc, but on the C5 tyre. Another good display so far for the Silverstone-based team though.

Drugovich, last year’s F2 champion, looking assured in the Aston. Will he be performing at the first race of the season next week? He looks more than capable...

1-10: Leclerc, Russell, Drugovich, Perez, Gasly, Hulkenberg, Piastri, Albon, Bottas, De Vries

1hr 45 mins to go...

Drive to Survive: Season 5 REVIEW - OUT NOW!

09:12 , Kieran Jackson

Time to find your helmet, don your fireproof gloves and pack your bags. Because 95 days after we said goodbye to Daniel Ricciardo and Sebastian Vettel in Abu Dhabi, Formula 1 chugs back into life this weekend as the start of the 2023 season dawns. The car launch season, from the tempered-down to the over-the-top, has concluded and finally we will see cars on track with the first – and much-maligned only – official pre-season test of the season. Where? Bahrain. Also the location where, 11 days from now, motorsport’s greatest show goes racing once more.

Yet while an undertone of eager excitement will immerse fans the world over at the sight of fresh – or perhaps not so fresh – liveries at the Bahrain International Circuit, such delirium won’t be mirrored in the paddock. Rather, it’s back down to business. Tick off your checklist. Screw your nuts and bolts. Contrary to the zing in the air, a wave of apprehension will blow over the paddock and its personnel.

Testing is a strange phenomenon. On the whole, the timesheets are not said to be the priority. Instead, its tweaking set-ups. Trialling different parts. Attaching aero-rakes and dashes of green paint to analyse airflow. Some teams even swing the other way; sandbagging the car’s true performance to disguise their potential from their competitors.

That all being said, this three-day testing window does take on more significance than years gone by. Usually, the teams also come together in Barcelona for at minimum a shakedown. Or perhaps Jerez on the southern Spanish coast. This year though, with 2022’s drastic regulation changes only moderately tinkered with in the off-season – a slightly raised ride-height the most noteworthy change – drivers will only have a day-and-a-half of running to tune their cars appropriately and iron out any issues.

Three days in total and bang: we’re into the first Grand Prix weekend of 23. That’s the number of races, it should be said, not just the year.

Drive to Survive review: Wolff rages at Horner in foul-mouthed flashpoint of season 5

F1 testing LIVE: Who’s in action this morning?

08:58 , Kieran Jackson

Here are those driving in this morning’s session on day three!

Red Bull

Sergio Perez

Ferrari

Charles Leclerc

Mercedes

George Russell

Alpine

Pierre Gasly

McLaren

Oscar Piastri

Alfa Romeo

Valtteri Bottas

Aston Martin

Felipe Drugovich

Haas

Nico Hulkenberg

AlphaTauri

Nyck de Vries

Williams

Alex Albon

F1 testing LIVE: UPDATE

08:51 , Kieran Jackson

Charles Leclerc has gone quickest, 0.418 seconds clear of George Russell, and that’s on a slower C4 tyre! Not a good sign for Mercedes...

Sergio Perez, on the C3 medium tyre, is up to P3 in his Red Bull.

4-10: Gasly, Hulkenberg, Drugovich, Piastri, Albon, Bottas, De Vries

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

F1 testing LIVE: Day two report

08:36 , Kieran Jackson

It’s two down, one to go in Formula 1 pre-season testing, with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen the standout performer in Bahrain so far.

The reigning world champion was the quickest driver on Thursday and was 0.040 seconds away from repeating the feat on Friday, before being pipped to top spot by Zhou Guanyu late on, though the Chinese driver was driving on the softest tyre.

However it was a torrid day for Mercedes, with Lewis Hamilton struggling with the balance of the W14 this morning before George Russell was forced to stop out on track this evening due to a hydraulics issue.

Saturday sees the final day of testing at the Bahrain International Circuit before all eyes turn to the first race of the season – also in the Gulf kingdom – next weekend.

Here’s what we learned from day two of F1 testing:

F1 testing: What we learned on day two in Bahrain

F1 testing LIVE: Russell goes quicker...

08:25 , Kieran Jackson

George Russell has gone quicker, this time on the very quickest C5 tyre, with a 1:31:442.

Charles Leclerc is seven-tenths off in second, with Pierre Gasly in third.

F1 testing LIVE: Piastri’s spin...

08:11 , Kieran Jackson

Here’s some images of Piastri’s spin at turn 10!

F1 testing LIVE: UPDATE!

08:00 , Kieran Jackson

We’ve had an hour of running in Bahrain - and George Russell is top of the laderboard! The Mercedes is 1.3 seconds ahead of second-placed Pierre Gasly, but is on the softer C4 tyre compared to the rest of the field on C3.

Gasly is second, with Sergio Perez third. 4-10: Hulkenberg, Piastri, Leclerc, Drugovich, Bottas, De Vries, Albon

Oscar Piastri, meanwhile, completely loses his McLaren approaching turn 10! A big run-off area avoids any collision...

Alex Albon, meanwhile, hasn’t set a lap time for Williams in 10th but has done 15 laps. Interesting approach!

F1 testing LIVE: Who’s in action this morning?

07:33 , Kieran Jackson

Here are those driving in this morning’s session on day three!

Red Bull

Sergio Perez

Ferrari

Charles Leclerc

Mercedes

George Russell

Alpine

Pierre Gasly

McLaren

Oscar Piastri

Alfa Romeo

Valtteri Bottas

Aston Martin

Felipe Drugovich

Haas

Nico Hulkenberg

AlphaTauri

Nyck de Vries

Williams

Alex Albon

F1 testing LIVE: Good morning!

07:25 , Kieran Jackson

Welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the final day of F1 pre-season testing in Bahrain!

Can Mercedes bounce back after a terrible day two? How will Sergio Perez perform in the Red Bull all day? And how about Felipe Drugovich for Aston Martin, replacing the injured Lance Stroll?

We’re underway with the morning session at the Bahrain International Circuit!

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)