Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel bounced back from a disappointing Bahrain Grand Prix by setting the fastest time during Wednesday morning’s Formula 1 test session.
Formula 1 teams have stayed out in Bahrain for two days of post-race running, the first of two session that will take place after grands prix this season.
Vettel posted a best time of 1:29.319s to finish 0.730s clear of Racing Point’s Lance Stroll at the four-hour mark of the day’s session, with Bahrain not holding an official lunch break as per other test venues.
There were no red flags during the morning's action as teams racked up mileage in hot and overcast conditions, in the wake of rain hindering programmes on Tuesday.
Williams racer George Russell switched to Mercedes – having been part of its junior roster since 2017 – and finished in third position, 1.054s down on Vettel.
Alexander Albon remained on hand for Toro Rosso and classified fourth while Haas handed the morning session to test driver Pietro Fittipaldi and he finished fifth.
Lando Norris matched his Bahrain Grand Prix result by placing sixth, in front of compatriot Daniel Ticktum, who was handed his maiden Formula 1 test run by Red Bull.
Ticktum finished runner-up in last year’s European Formula 3 Championship and this season will race in Super Formula for the Mugen team that carried Pierre Gasly to second overall in 2017.
Carlos Sainz Jr. carried out tyre testing duties in the Pirelli-run McLaren MCL34; Fernando Alonso – who drove on Tuesday – will take over for the afternoon.
Mick Schumacher switched from Ferrari to Alfa Romeo and added more mileage to his Formula 1 experience, finishing ninth in the C38.
Daniil Kvyat, driving the Pirelli-run Toro Rosso, rounded out the top 10, leaving Renault tester Jack Aitken and Williams reserve Nicholas Latifi at the back of the pack.
Running will continue through until 18:00 local time
