Schumi Jr swaps to Alfa, Russell joins Mercedes
Schumacher swaps Ferrari for Alfa, Russell joins Mercedes
Motor racing’s young hopefuls took centre stage on Day Two at Bahrain as Mick Schumacher tested the Alfa Romeo and George Russell took a giant leap up the order.
After Monday’s sandstorm and Tuesday’s unexpected rain, Alfa Romeo, who had Mick Schumacher in the car on Wednesday, were preparing for any and all possibilities.
Bahrain #F1Testing Day 2: Weather forecast? ☔️🌤🌪 pic.twitter.com/EdsNfsTJYs
— Alfa Romeo Racing (@alfaromeoracing) April 3, 2019
Jack Aitken was in action for Renault, replacing Daniel Ricciardo for Day Two.
Carlos Sainz fired the morning’s opening salvo with a 1:32.778s in the McLaren that Pirelli are using for tyre testing. His team-mate Lando Norris was also in action.
The green light 🚥 is on and we take to the track to get our final day in Bahrain underway. 👊
We start the day with @LandoNorris in the #MCL34 and @Carlossainz55 testing for Pirelli. #F1Testing pic.twitter.com/oBFGTGkDs2
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) April 3, 2019
It was, however, Sebastian Vettel in the Ferrari who took control of the timesheets as he went faster and faster, lowering the P1 time to a 1:29.319.
George Russell moved up to third place – he was in the Mercedes W10 for the day, not the Williams.
The British rookie counts towards Mercedes’ tally for young drivers given he has only contested two F1 grands prix.
His fastest lap time on Wednesday morning, a 1:30.373s, was 1.4s faster his qualifying time from the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Lance Stroll took to the track for Racing Point in what proved to be a busy morning for the Canadian driver.
He worked his way up to second place, finishing 0.7s down on Vettel.
Clocking up the laps in a dry and sunny Bahrain. Aero data collected already so it’s time for some set-up and tyre work before lunch. #BahrainTest pic.twitter.com/q8Ht5ikrCR
— SportPesa Racing Point F1 Team (@RacingPointF1) April 3, 2019
It was a morning of firsts for Dan Ticktum as, having secured enough super licence points over the winter, he put in his first laps in the Red Bull RB15.
Schumacher, in the Alfa Romeo, racked up the miles in the C38.
Aaaaaaand stop! ✋🏻 31 laps completed for @SchumacherMick 🙌🏻#F1Testing pic.twitter.com/DYJpaJzccC
— Alfa Romeo Racing (@alfaromeoracing) April 3, 2019
Other young hopefuls in action included Pietro Fittipaldi for Haas…
BOX! BOX!@PiFitti completes his Bahrain test session – 48 laps chalked up with a best time of 1:31.209. #HaasF1 #F1Testing pic.twitter.com/2NwTivGxTp
— Haas F1 Team (@HaasF1Team) April 3, 2019
And Nicolas Latifi for Williams. He was slowest of all on Wednesday.
Back in to the pits for @NicholasLatifi after another run 👍#F1Testing pic.twitter.com/5b3rrRb2kW
— ROKiT WILLIAMS RACING (@WilliamsRacing) April 3, 2019
Romain Grosjean took over from Fittipaldi for the afternoon session with Haas’ social media guys trying to make testing more interesting.
.@RGrosjean has just set his fastest lap of the day. A 1:30.903 posted after switching to the red C4s. #HaasF1 #F1Testing pic.twitter.com/X0jWD214CN
— Haas F1 Team (@HaasF1Team) April 3, 2019
With 90 minutes remaining in Wednesday’s play, Sergio Perez hit the front with a 1:29.095.
Lando Norris explored his options should he decide he no longer wants to be a F1 driver.
Job swap. 🤔 @LandoNorris #F1Testing pic.twitter.com/Xab5GxXg7W
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) April 3, 2019
One final run for Jack Aitken in the Renault…
Final few minutes of #F1Testing here in Bahrain. @JaitkenRacer going out for one more run. #RSspirit pic.twitter.com/RINkFD0El3
— Renault F1 Team (@RenaultF1Team) April 3, 2019
Vettel had to settle for third after Russell put in a late lap in the Mercedes to top the day’s play!
Yip, Russell was P1 – but in the Mercedes.
Ending #F1Testing in Bahrain on top 💪 101 laps and a best time of 1:29.029 for @GeorgeRussell63 pic.twitter.com/yxANAJ1TfL
— Mercedes-AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) April 3, 2019
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