Breaking: Kimi Antonelli Beats George Russell to Top Mercedes 1-2 in Bahrain F1 Testing; Lewis Hamilton Stops Late, McLaren Leads Team Laps
Kimi Antonelli pulled off a sensational performance on the final day of the first Bahrain F1 pre-season test, securing the fastest lap and beating his Mercedes teammate George Russell by almost a quarter of a second. The Finland-born Italian, new to Formula 1 this season, recorded a best time of 1m33.669s to finish 0.249s clear of Russell. The duo’s impressive display handed Mercedes a dominating 1-2 finish ahead of next week’ssecond and final test.
Seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton finished third fastest, posting a lap time of 1m34.209s, just over half a second behind Antonelli and 0.291s off Russell. However, Hamilton’s day ended prematurely as he stopped off track in the final minutes of the session, with suggestions pointing to a possible fuel exhaustion while chasing efficiency.
Oscar Piastri in the McLaren finished fourth, 0.88s off the pace, while reigning world champion Max Verstappen in the Red Bull was fifth, 1.672s behind Antonelli. The Australian driver Piastri also managed the day’s highest lap total, completing 160 laps, which saw McLaren top the team mileage for day three and share the week’s total with Williams.
The final pre-season test, which will be critical in shaping the grid for the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix on March 5, takes place from February 18-20. Stay tuned for more updates!
januar 28, 2023, Engaged 8 minutes 2023;; Mercedes Topples Bahrain Test, Kimi Antonelli Triumphs in Week 1
Kimi Antonelli Crowns Day 3 at Bahrain Pre-Season Test
In aocker of a result, Kimi Antonelli led the way at the conclusion of Week 1 of Formula 1’s pre-season testing in Bahrain. The Finnish driver turned heads with an impressive 1:33.669 lap, nearly a quarter-second clear of teammate George Russell. Antonelli was the only driver to breach the 1m34s barrier, setting a strong statement for Mercedes.
Lewis Hamilton’s Efficiency Chase Ends Prematurely
Lewis Hamilton put in the third-fastest lap of the day with a 1:34.209, just 0.291s off Russell and 0.540s behind Antonelli. However, the seven-time champion’s day ended abruptly when he ran out of fuel chasing efficiency, bringing out the red flags late in the session.
Piastri’s McLaren Leads Lap Total, Ferrari Close Behind
Oscar Piastri’s 160 laps in the McLaren put him fourth on the timesheet and led the way in terms of lap total. Close behind was Ferrari, who topped the weekly lap chart with 421 laps, 31 more than Haas in third.
FAQ
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Q: Who was fifth fastest on Day 3?
- A: Max Verstappen in the Red Bull. Despite being 1.672s off the pace, Verstappen still leads the 2023 title race discussions.
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Q: Which team topped week one’s team mileage?
- A: A tie between McLaren and Williams with 422 laps each.
What’s Next?
With Week 1 complete, all eyes are on the final pre-season test from February 18-20. Teams will look to iron out any remaining kinks before the 2023 season opener in Bahrain on March 5.