P1racenews AI automatic summary:
The three-day pre-season Formula test concluded in Bahrain on Friday, with all 10 teams and 20 drivers getting significant laps
Teams keep fuel loads and running plans as internal secrets during pre-season testing, making it difficult to determine the true pecking order, but it does offer valuable insights. Haas completed the most laps among the 10 teams, totaling 439, aiming to understand their revised car better despite expecting a challenging start to the season. Williams faced some reliability issues, completing the least mileage with 298 laps. The number of laps covered is crucial for data collection and preparation heading into the new season. Interpretation of lap times in testing can be misleading when the actual season begins, but notable performances by Verstappen, Sainz, and Leclerc were highlighted. Red Bull’s strong pace suggests a competitive edge in Bahrain, while Ferrari’s performance on the final test days should be viewed cautiously. The fastest times of Sainz and Leclerc were achieved on the C4 tire, which differs from the compounds available for the Bahrain Grand Prix.
