11:59
Afternoon session to begin
Running will now resume for the next four hours.
Lando Norris (GBR) McLaren MCL38. Formula 1 Testing, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day…
2024 F1 Bahrain pre-season testing: Day 1 as it happened
A recap of everything that happened on the opening day of F1 pre-season testing in Bahrain.
F1 testing ahead of the 2024 season is finally here with three days of running at the Bahrain international Circuit.
It's the first time we will get to see all 10 teams run their new challengers in anger as they prepare for the new campaign.
21 Feb 2024
11:29
What happens during the break?
All is quiet on the track for now.
During the hour break from the on-track action, it is not only a chance to grab some lunch, but the teams will also be preparing their cars for any driver changes.
Only Red Bull and Mercedes aren't swapping drivers for the afternoon session, meaning there is plenty of preparation needed to be done before the action resumes at 12pm UK time.
This often results in an initial lull during the opening minutes of the afternoon running while final preparations are completed.
11:13
Morning report
Here's how things stacked up on the first morning of running in Bahrain as Max Verstappen topped the timesheets
Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing RB20. Formula 1 Testing, Sakhir,…
10:43
Into the final 20 minutes
The current order is Verstappen, Leclerc, Alonso, Piastri, Tsunoda, Bottas, Albon, Ocon, Russell and Magnussen.
It's been generally a smooth morning of running in Bahrain, with Albon's recent stoppage the only major hiccup so far, highlighting how reliable F1 cars are in 2024.
10:41
Albon has stopped on track
The first car to stop out on track is Albon in the Williams.
No sign of a red flag just yet but he's been stopped for over two minutes now.
10:29
Lap time update
Here's how things are looking in terms of the fastest lap times in Bahrain currently
09:56
Another moment for Ocon
A trip across the gravel for Ocon at Turn 4 - that Alpine looks to be a bit of a handful currently.
The Frenchman is back in the pit lane.
09:35
Current order
Verstappen leads the way currently with a 1m33.065s, less than 0.2s ahead of Leclerc in the Ferrari.
Alonso rounds out the top three, 0.3s off the pace.
09:12
Leclerc locks up
A little moment for Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc.
Attempting to edge Verstappen's fastest time, he locked up at Turn 8 and was forced to abort his lap.
08:52
Max Verstappen goes fastest
Uh oh, a sign of things to come?
Max Verstappen overhauls Fernando Alonso by three tenths after clocking 1:33.065.
08:45
Alonso faster than Leclerc
Fernando Alonso goes three tenths clear of Charles Leclerc at the top of the timesheet.
His time was 1:33.385.
08:35
Lap times so far
08:27
First F1 driver into the gravel
Esteban Ocon lost control of his Alpine and ended up in the gravel at Turn 4.
That might've been worse, but he got away with it.
08:16
Secrets on the RB20
Ted Kravitz has noticed some crucial technical information on the new Red Bull.
Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing RB20. Formula 1 Testing, Sakhir,…
Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing RB20. Formula 1 Testing, Sakhir,…
07:57
Charles Leclerc fastest
The Ferrari driver clocks 1:33.658 to move top of the timehsheet.
He has overhauled Fernando Alonso's time.
Charles Leclerc (MON) Ferrari SF-24. Formula 1 Testing, Sakhir, Bahrain,…
07:56
Mercedes are busy
The 14 laps from George Russell are the most of any driver/team so far.
The W15 has had a busy start to Bahrain testing.
No need to say how important the early weeks of the F1 2024 season could be for Mercedes...
07:44
F1 aero rakes
F1 aero rakes are back. But what are they? What do they do?
Charles Leclerc (MON) Ferrari SF-24. Formula 1 Testing, Sakhir, Bahrain,…
07:26
Change at the top
Alonso has taken to the top of the timesheets now in the Aston Martin with a 1m34.334s, 1.0s clear of Bottas.
Magnussen rounds out the top three for Haas, 1.3s shy of Alonso's early benchmark.
Still no times from Albon, Ocon or Piastri at this early stage.
07:14
Four times on the board
We're just 10 minutes into the first four-hour session of winter testing in Bahrain.
Leclerc leads the way with a 1m37.432s - he's completed five laps so far in the Ferrari. Russell is just over 0.8s off in the Mercedes W15, with six laps to his name.
Tsunoda is 1.1s off in the RB, while reigning world champion Verstappen completes the current lap times at this early stage.
Of course, times at this point are pretty irrelevant, but they are still nice to talk about.
07:09
Look who's here
Red Bull boss Christian Horner is in the paddock, with it being "business as usual" despite the ongoing investigation into his conduct from allegations from a female employee.
The outcome of the investigation - and when it will be announced - is still unclear.
(L to R): Adrian Newey (GBR) Red Bull Racing Chief Technical Officer and…
07:05
The first lap time of 2024 testing
The first time of 2024 goes to Russell in the Mercedes. It's just a 1m39.956s for the British driver - over 10 seconds off Verstappen's 2023 pole position from last year.
07:00
F1 testing in 2024 is underway
The green light has appeared at the end of the pit lane marking the start of pre-season testing for the 2024 F1 season.
06:59
Some early movement
There's still just under two minutes until the morning session kicks off but George Russell is waiting at the end of the pit lane in the Mercedes W15.
He's got a huge aero rake fitted to his car as Mercedes look to get some early data on their new challenger. Is it performing as expected? Is the air-flow the same as it was back in the factory?
Fernando Alonso is also ready to take to the track in the Aston Martin - he's behind Russell in the pit lane.
06:51
Who is driving this morning?
Here's who will be in action in the first session of testing in Bahrain which runs from 7am to 11am (UK time)
Red Bull: Max Verstappen
Mercedes: George Russell
Ferrari: Charles Leclerc
McLaren: Oscar Piastri
Aston Martin: Fernando Alonso
Alpine: Esteban Ocon
Williams: Alex Albon
RB: Yuki Tsunoda
Sauber: Valtteri Bottas
Haas: Kevin Magnussen
06:49
How can you watch F1 testing?
All the information you need ahead of this morning's F1 test session in Bahrain can be found here, including how to watch the action.