F1 Testing 2021: Bahrain (12th - 14th)

Shimmy · 10 Mar 2021 at 22:28

Testing feeds:
https://www.skysports.com/f1/live-blog

TV coverage:
Sky F1 6.50am - 11.05am & 11.55am - 4.10pm all 3 days

Sky's preview of testing:

Weather Forecast:

Lap Records:
2020 Pole Position - 1:27.264 (Lewis Hamilton)
2020 Fastest Race Lap - 1:32.014 (Max Verstappen)

Day 1 Times:

Day 2 Times:

Day 3 Times:

Finners · 10 Mar 2021 at 23:12

I know I shouldn't be but I'm quite excited for this year, think it's more hope than anything.

Will probably be a Mercedes walk over but let's hope for some decent races.

I've got Haas down as being slowest this year and think Alpine might struggle to.

Junglist · 11 Mar 2021 at 11:35

Ah Yes, my favourite time of the year!

I follow the same thing each year... watch all the timing then get really excited when either Ferrari or Mclaren are top of the timesheets after doing some low fuel glory laps. Then I say "This is the year another team will bring it to Mercedes" after Mercedes seem to be around 4/5th on the time sheets

Even though I know to never read much into timings I still do every single year!

chrismscotland · 11 Mar 2021 at 15:31

Looking forward to seeing some of these cars out on track; not expecting much difference from last year to now given its broadly the same cars; etc - maybe a little boost for McLaren with the Mercedes engine back in the rear of the car.
Surely Ferrari's engine can only be better than last year.....

JRS · 11 Mar 2021 at 16:37

chrismscotland said:
not expecting much difference from last year to now given its broadly the same cars

We-e-e-ell...

el_dazza · 12 Mar 2021 at 09:09

I feel oddly emotional seeing "M. Schumacher" on the timing sheets again..

chrismscotland · 12 Mar 2021 at 09:13

Been watching the first hour of testing; mainly to see the new liveries!
The Aston isn't as bright as I'd have liked to be honest; even in bright sunlight; Torro Rosso looks much darker than last year

Its also odd seeing "MSC" listed as initials on the timing screen again!!

chrismscotland · 12 Mar 2021 at 09:13

el_dazza said:
I feel oddly emotional seeing "M. Schumacher" on the timing sheets again..

I was just thinking the same thing!

CaptainRAVE · 12 Mar 2021 at 09:13

Mercedes always innovating. That floor...and that’s just a small bit that we can see!

Junglist · 12 Mar 2021 at 09:25

We. Are. Back!!

means I have to pop to the office for a bit later. Furious. I wasn't a fan of the Aston but it looks great on track

JRS · 12 Mar 2021 at 09:41

Vettel's Aston Martin conforming to type, and has come to a halt at the end of the pitlane :rolleyes:

Junglist · 12 Mar 2021 at 09:43

They're running both cars this year? Really keen to see how Perez does

Mr Jack · 12 Mar 2021 at 10:13

Junglist said:
They're running both cars this year? Really keen to see how Perez does

Peréz is running tomorrow and half of Sunday. Just Max today.

Junglist · 12 Mar 2021 at 10:14

Mr Jack said:
Peréz is running tomorrow and half of Sunday. Just Max today.

Ah ok thanks, the graphic was confusing me as for some teams it has both names (Haas, Ferrari, Alfa, Mercedes) but I suppose they're just doing split days today

edit: just as I say that a laps completed graphic comes up and shows only 10 are running

Mr Jack · 12 Mar 2021 at 10:25

Junglist said:
Ah ok thanks, the graphic was confusing me as for some teams it has both names (Haas, Ferrari, Alfa, Mercedes) but I suppose they're just doing split days today

Yup. There's a full list of who's running when here.

Junglist · 12 Mar 2021 at 10:28

Mr Jack said:
Yup. There's a full list of who's running when here.

Ah ace, thanks.

Seems odd that Williams are giving a reserve driver an entire day when the testing has been reduced this year

Mr Jack · 12 Mar 2021 at 10:35

Junglist said:
Seems odd that Williams are giving a reserve driver an entire day when the testing has been reduced this year

He's paying them a sizeable amount of money for it, I think. I'd have hoped they were past that with their new backers.

chrismscotland · 12 Mar 2021 at 10:35

Junglist said:
Ah ace, thanks.

Seems odd that Williams are giving a reserve driver an entire day when the testing has been reduced this year

Yeah I thought that too; maybe anticpating having to use him at some point with Covid still around

Mr Jack · 12 Mar 2021 at 10:39

chrismscotland said:
Yeah I thought that too; maybe anticpating having to use him at some point with Covid still around

I don't think he's allowed to race is he? Not enough superlicense points. I think Aitken is more likely to get a replacement drive.

Junglist · 12 Mar 2021 at 10:42

I hope it's what you've said @chrismscotland and not what @Mr Jack has said though it's probably the latter, sadly.

This downfall of Williams has been pretty tough to watch seeing them go from consistent front runners, to scrapping in the midfield and now (barely) propping up the rear.

I'm now curious to know how Williams would've have started this Hybrid Era had they remained with a Renault engine in the back. It seems that the engine really helped them during 14/15