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Mercedes' Teen Sensation Kimi Antonelli Tops F1 Testing in Bahrain
Antonelli, 18, set a 1:32.803 lap on C3 tires, beating McLaren’s Oscar Piastri by 0.058 seconds as Mercedes led preseason testing times.
- On the penultimate day of preseason testing, Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli lowered the Bahrain International Circuit benchmark to 1:32.803, topping week 2, day 2.
- Teams ran varied programmes with differing fuel loads and engine modes, and the FIA invited teams to run practice starts with extra five-second turbo spool, altering session programmes and lap-time comparisons.
- Session data lists Max Verstappen at 1:33.162 and Oscar Piastri at 1:32.861, 0.058 seconds behind Antonelli, with Hamilton fourth at 1:33.408.
- Ferrari trialled a flipping upper-flap rear wing in the morning, then reverted to a conventional wing for the afternoon, while Aston Martin suffered a terminal issue that stopped Fernando Alonso after 68 laps.
- Testing results reinforce that Mercedes, McLaren, Red Bull and Ferrari are all in the mix, while Cadillac's Sergio Perez set a 1:35.369, 2.566 seconds off Antonelli's top time, on Thursday.
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Bahrain test analysis: McLaren’s race simulation stands out, Ferrari tests bold solutions
Yesterday, McLaren impressed on race pace with Oscar Piastri, while Ferrari focused on setup work and new technical updates during the latest day of Formula 1 testing in Bahrain. Formula 1 still has no clear benchmark, but the Mercedes-powered teams are beginning to make some noise. Andrea Kimi Antonelli claimed the fastest time of yesterday with the W17, while McLaren grabbed attention thanks to Oscar Piastri’s full race simulation. Ferrari, fo…
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