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Charles Leclerc

Leclerc concludes F1 testing on top for Ferrari

The curtain has been drawn on pre-season testing in Bahrain with Charles Leclerc ending the final day on top for Ferrari.

Leclerc Bahrain Test
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To news overview © RN365/Michael Potts

Charles Leclerc has ended pre-season testing on top of the timesheets, laying down a 1:30.322 behind the wheel of the Ferrari.

The Monegasque driver narrowly edged out Mercedes' George Russell who set a time late on to slot in 0.046s behind Leclerc.

Russell's fastest time was set on the C4 compound, as did Leclerc, to climb to the top of the standings.

Zhou Guanyu also produced a late effort to take third place for the rebranded Stake F1 team.

The day's schedule was altered after a loose drain cover caused a delay for the second consecutive day, with the lunch break abandoned to allow non-stop running through to 19:00 local time.

There were no major dramas for the teams during the day, although Pierre Gasly was forced back into the pits late on after his inside wheel arch came loose and fell onto the track.

Reigning World Champion Max Verstappen was fourth fastest for Red Bull while RB's Yuki Tsunoda followed close behind in the timesheets.

Alex Albon was fifth and was the only driver to complete the entire day in the car, clocking 121 laps behind the wheel of his Williams.

Oscar Piastri was seventh as he prepares for his second F1 campaign while veteran Fernando Alonso was eighth.

Carlos Sainz and Sergio Perez, who jumped out of their cars following running in the morning, rounded out the top 10.

The opening race of the season will take place next week in Bahrain on Saturday, March 2.

F1 2024 pre-season testing RN365 News dossier

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