Monegasque Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) set the best time on the third day of pre-season testing in Formula 1, Friday in Bahrain, ahead of the Mercedes of George Russell.
At the wheel of his modest Sauber, the Chinese Zhou Guanyu completes the Top 3 of this final day of testing before the first Grand Prix of the season, on March 2, on the same Sakhir track. The reigning three-time world champion Max Verstappen (Red Bull) takes fourth place on the timesheet, ahead of the Japanese Yuki Tsunoda (Racing Bulls), fifth. However, the ranking must be weighed since among the fastest drivers of the day, Verstappen opted for less soft tires and therefore less fast over a lap than those of his competitors.
1. Charles Leclerc (MON/Ferrari) in 1:30.322 (74 laps)
2. George Russell (GBR/Mercedes) at 0.046 (67)
3. Zhou Guanyu (CHN/Sauber) 0.325 (85)
4. Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull) 0.433 (66)
5. Yuki Tsunoda (JPN/Racing Bulls) 0.453 (53)
6. Alex Albon (THA/Williams) 0.662 (121)
7. Oscar Piastri (AUS/McLaren) 0.708 (91)
8. Fernando Alonso (ESP/Aston Martin) 0.837 (75)
9. Carlos Sainz (ESP/Ferrari) 0.925 (71)
10. Sergio Perez (MEX/Red Bull) 1,161 (53)
11. Nico Hulkenberg (GER/Haas) 1.364 (89)
12. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 1.677 (49)
13. Lance Stroll (CAN/Aston Martin) 1.716 (46)
14. Lando Norris (GBR/McLaren) 1,786 (20)
15. Pierre Gasly (FRA/Alpine) 1.827 (47)
16. Kevin Magnussen (DEN/Haas) 2,731 (80)
17. Esteban Ocon (FRA/Alpine) 2,757 (55)
18. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Sauber) 3.206 (28)
19. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Racing Bulls) 6,693 (70)