P1racenews AI automatic summary:
It was Lando Norris who set the ultimate pace on the first day of F1 testing in Bahrain, but the major statement was made by Red Bull and Max Verstappen.
Lando Norris set the fastest time on the first day of F1’s first pre-season test in Bahrain, with Max Verstappen showing strong form for Red Bull.
Verstappen had set the pace initially before Norris’s late impressive lap saw him take the top spot on the timesheets.
Red Bull’s new engine performance caught the attention of Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, showcasing potential competition ahead of the upcoming season.
Verstappen and Esteban Ocon were the only drivers to complete over 100 laps, indicating good reliability and performance.
The day also saw Charles Leclerc jump to third place, while Mercedes faced some downtime due to a chassis issue with Kimi Antonelli.
Despite a few red flags during the day, the overall running was largely smooth, with the field completing a total of 1,143 laps.
