McLaren’s Stellar Start
On a dramatic opening day of pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit, Lando Norris showcased his speed, setting the fastest lap at 1:30.430 for McLaren. As a favorite heading into the new season, Norris’s impressive performance seen in the hour after a power restoration kept McLaren in the spotlight.
Power Cut Disrupts Testing
Before Norris’s record lap, the pre-season testing was significantly disrupted by a lengthy delay due to an external substation failure. This incident, which cut the power and plunged significant parts of the circuit, including team garages and floodlighting, forced race control to pause the session. Teams were left in the dark, both literally and figuratively, until the power was restored.
Impressive Competitors
Following Norris on the timesheets, George Russell of Mercedes, Max Verstappen from Red Bull, and Charles Leclerc of Ferrari all demonstrated their potential as top contenders in the upcoming season. Notably, Lewis Hamilton made his debut with Ferrari during the morning session, completing 70 laps, as he gears up for a thrilling year ahead.
