Mar 12, 2021

    Follow this page for updates during the day of all the news and developments from the first of three days of testing in Bahrain.

    • All ten teams are present for what is expected to be a busy three days and the only chance to test the cars with Pirelli's new tyres ahead of the first race in two weeks' time.

    • A sandstorm during the lunch break made track conditions incredibly dusty at the start of the afternoon session. Teams continued with testing regardless despite the slippery conditions and limited visibility.

    • Mercedes recorded just one lap in the first three hours and 20 minutes of the session after a gearshift issue forced the team to replace the car's gearbox. The broken transmission will now be analysed to understand the cause of the problem.

    • World champion Lewis Hamilton took over driving duties at Mercedes in the afternoon, but had his initial running limited after asking for a change of pedals. He then reported a loose rear-view mirror and returned to the pits.

    • Charles Leclerc caused the only red flag of the morning session when his Ferrari stopped on track at Turn 4 with ten minutes remaining in the morning session.

    • Haas also made a gearbox change following a hydraulic issue, limiting Mick Schumacher's mileage on his debut with the team in the morning.

    • Max Verstappen spun in his Red Bull at Turn 2 early in the session but escaped any damage.

    • McLaren's Daniel Ricciardo held the fastest time of the morning session with a 1:32.203, just 0.028s clear of Alpha Tauri's Pierre Gasly in second place.

    Morning session times:
    1. Ricciardo, McLaren, 1:32.203, 45 laps
    2. Gasly, Alpha Tauri, 1:32.231, 74 laps
    3. Verstappen, Red Bull, 1:32.245, 60 laps
    4. Ocon, Alpine, 1:32.959, 55 laps
    5. Leclerc, Ferrari, 1:33.242, 59 laps
    6. Raikkonen, Alfa Romeo, 1:33.320, 63 laps
    7. Vettel, Aston Martin, 1:33.742, 51 laps
    8. Nissany, Williams, 1:34.789, 39 laps
    9. Schumacher, Haas, 1:36.127, 15 laps
    10. Bottas, Mercedes, 1:36.850, 6 laps

    For a full guide of what to expect from testing this year, click here.

    Below is the full list of drivers taking part in testing today.

    Alfa Romeo Racing: Kimi Raikkonen (AM) Antonio Giovinazzi (PM)
    AlphaTauri: Pierre Gasly (AM) Yuki Tsunoda (PM)
    Alpine: Esteban Ocon
    Aston Martin: Sebastian Vettel (AM) Lance Stroll (PM)
    Ferrari: Charles Leclerc (AM) Carlos Sainz (PM)
    Haas: Mick Schumacher (AM) Nikita Mazepin (PM)
    McLaren: Daniel Ricciardo (AM) Lando Norris (PM)
    Mercedes: Valtteri Bottas (AM) Lewis Hamilton (PM)
    Red Bull Racing: Max Verstappen
    Williams Racing: Roy Nissany