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Mercedes' Teen Sensation Kimi Antonelli Tops F1 Testing in Bahrain
Antonelli, 18, set a 1:32.803 lap on C3 tires, beating McLaren’s Oscar Piastri by 0.058 seconds as Mercedes led preseason testing times.
- On the penultimate day of preseason testing, Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli lowered the Bahrain International Circuit benchmark to 1:32.803, topping week 2, day 2.
- Teams ran varied programmes with differing fuel loads and engine modes, and the FIA invited teams to run practice starts with extra five-second turbo spool, altering session programmes and lap-time comparisons.
- Session data lists Max Verstappen at 1:33.162 and Oscar Piastri at 1:32.861, 0.058 seconds behind Antonelli, with Hamilton fourth at 1:33.408.
- Ferrari trialled a flipping upper-flap rear wing in the morning, then reverted to a conventional wing for the afternoon, while Aston Martin suffered a terminal issue that stopped Fernando Alonso after 68 laps.
- Testing results reinforce that Mercedes, McLaren, Red Bull and Ferrari are all in the mix, while Cadillac's Sergio Perez set a 1:35.369, 2.566 seconds off Antonelli's top time, on Thursday.
14 Articles
14 Articles
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2026 Bahrain Pre-Season Testing 2, Day 3 morning times
The morning session of the third day of 2026 Pre-Season Testing 2 in Bahrain has finished with Kimi Antonelli behind the wheel. Here are the times so far! Read More The post 2026 Bahrain Pre-Season Testing 2, Day 3 morning times appeared first on Silver Arrows Net.
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