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2022 Formula 1 Bahrain March testing

Bahrain
Mar 10, 2022 to Mar 12, 2022
Bahrain International Circuit, BH
Live text
Formula 1 Bahrain March testing

F1 Bahrain pre-season test - Day 1

Minute by minute updates on the opening day of the 2022 Bahrain F1 pre-season test

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Just two cars yet to run in this opening hour: McLaren and Haas. McLaren's preparing itself to run some aero validation work, while Haas will emerge later on in the day after freight delays.
Stopwatch
Guanyu Zhou is out on track in the freshly-reliveried Alfa Romeo - he's currently fourth fastest as it stands. Meanwhile, Leclerc winds down the pace, posting a 1m35.953s.
Leclerc's circulating on the C4 tyres, finding time on Perez. The Ferrari doesn't look particularly porpoisy, just reactive on the bumps.
Stopwatch
Sergio Perez is now out in the Red Bull RB18, going P1 for the time being with a 1m38.582s. Still no representative times at the moment.
Breaking news

Mercedes unveils new F1 sidepod design

The new upgrades feature minimalist sidepods, and some aggressive looking fins that run alongside the cockpit to comply with side-impact regulations.

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/mercedes-unveils-bold-f1-sidepod-design-in-bahrain-test/8862058/

Breaking news

How porpoising in F1 works

Is porpoising a function of stalling? We asked an aerodynamicist and they said no: https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/the-mechanics-behind-porpoising-in-f1-and-how-to-fix-it/8693581/

Hamilton's still going out there, bouncing along under the porpoise effect on the main straight.
Sebastian Vettel has a big lock-up into Turn 8, a frequent zone for catching the left-front tyre. It's also super-windy out there, with Hamilton having an earlier wide moment.
Photo
Inspiration for the Mercedes W13?

 

Stopwatch
It's a 1m41.508s for Hamilton there - but we don't have any proper timing figures just yet.
Hamilton hits the track, complete with shrunken sidepods. Tiny little inlets, only the crash structure protruding out from that part of the car.
Pierre Gasly kicks us off, followed by Zhou - both bearing plenty of aero rakery to conduct early tests.
Green flag
Let's go testing, everybody!
I have coffee, so we're sorted. Early mornings and I don't quite go hand-in-hand...
15 minutes until running gets under way. If you get a chance, have a look at the Mercedes sidepods...there's almost nothing to them. Think Lamborghini 291, but more extreme.

F1 Bahrain pre-season test day 1 line-ups

Mercedes: Hamilton (AM)/Russell (PM)
Red Bull: Perez
Ferrari: Leclerc (AM)/Sainz (PM)
McLaren: Norris
Alpine: Ocon (AM)/Alonso (PM)
AlphaTauri: Gasly
Aston Martin: Vettel (AM)/Stroll (PM)
Williams: Albon
Alfa Romeo: Zhou (AM)/Bottas (PM)
Haas: Fittipaldi
Breaking news

News: Kevin Magnussen rejoins Haas

If you didn't see it last night, you have now; Kevin Magnussen replaces Nikita Mazepin at Haas on a multi-year deal. Pietro Fittipaldi will conduct today's running for Haas, with Magnussen and Mick Schumacher dividing the final two days between them.

Good moooooorning everyone! We're back, we're live, and we're ready for the Bahrain F1 test. Three days of running - and we'll have updates galore for you as things evolve.

By: Haydn Cobb

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