Carlos Sainz sets the second fastest time during the morning test in Bahrain. This has been his premiere with the Ferrari of 2023.
Carlos Sainz has been one of the most active drivers during the first day of F1 2023 pre-season testing at the Bahrain Circuit. The Madrid driver completed the morning test with the second best time behind the wheel of the SF-23, before handing it over to his teammate, Charles Leclerc, in the afternoon.
The Ferrari has given a lot to talk about during the first day of testing… due to the good sensations and the nose, literally. The Spaniard completed 72 laps at the Bahrain Circuit in the morning, without suffering any mechanical setbacks, being the second driver who did the most laps in this strip, only behind Alex Albon, who only did two more laps.
In terms of times, Sainz also played a good role, stopping the clock in second position, with a medium tire and just over two tenths behind Max Verstappen, who led the table in the morning. Just looking at the standings, it might even look like we’re still at last season, with Red Bull on top and Ferrari just behind.
One of the images that have captured attention today has been that of the ‘new’ Ferrari nose. From early in the morning, this part of the SF-23 was seen doing a ‘strange’ at high speeds. It even seemed to sink in the straightaway.
The Ferrari of Carlos Sainz seems to have a dent in his nose due to air pressure at Maximum Velocity. Not a great start to the season for the prancing horses🏎#F1 #F1Testing #Ferrari #ScuderiaFerrari #dentednose pic.twitter.com/8b6vyDrWyY
—F1365 (@F1365TW) February 23, 2023
Far from being an ingenuity, it is a defect in the front of the Maranello car due to the lightness of the component and the impact of the air… Ferrari will have to work to solve it, although it is believed that it will not be a big headache.
Sainz did not push his new Ferrari to the limit, but instead focused on collecting data to work on development later, using the usual pre-season test panels and paraffin.
His teammate, Charles Leclerc, who got into the car in the afternoon, continued the work begun by the Spaniard and also with a good feeling, although without placing himself at the top of the standings, which is normal due to the drop in temperatures with about the morning.
Beyond the good debut of Red Bull and the good feelings of Ferrari, the other favorite to be in the ‘top 3’, Mercedes was one step below in the morning, with Russell fifth. In the afternoon, Hamilton climbed into the top three positions, with a time two tenths behind Sainz.
