Max Verstappen found breathing space at the top of the timing sheets ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris after the first day of pre-season testing in Bahrain ahead of the 2024 Formula 1 season.
With eight teams splitting driving duties on the first day of the test, George Russell and Max Verstappen were the only morning runners who remained behind the wheel for the afternoon session.
The reigning World Champion completed 142 laps with his best time of 1:31.344s good enough to see him sit 1.140s clear of McLaren’s Lando Norris when the flag fell on day one of the test.
Carlos Sainz was third fastest for Ferrari ahead of RB’s Daniel Ricciardo and the Alpine of Pierre Gasly.
Having missed the entirety of testing in 2023, Lance Stroll slotted into sixth ahead of Charles Leclerc whose morning running was good enough to retain seventh.
Oscar Piastri and Guanyu Zhou completed the top ten ahead of Logan Sargeant who lost running due to a high-speed spin followed by a drivetrain issue in what was a shaky first day of purposeful running for the FW46.
Despite running in the faster evening conditions, Haas’ Nico Hulkenberg was the slowest of all however the German was able to tally an impressive 81 laps during his time with the VF-24.
[motorsport_result id=’154295′]
