Hamilton Thrives with Ferrari: A New Era in Formula 1

Hamilton's Excitement with Ferrari

Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time Formula 1 world champion, has expressed his enthusiasm for his new Ferrari car during the second day of pre-season testing in Bahrain. After 12 seasons with Mercedes, Hamilton's move to Ferrari marks a significant shift in his career. He set the second-fastest time, being narrowly outpaced by Williams' Carlos Sainz by just 0.031 seconds.

Ferrari Team Performance

Charles Leclerc, who took over the Ferrari for the afternoon session, secured the third-fastest time, trailing Hamilton by a mere 0.052 seconds. Both Sainz and Leclerc experienced spins during their runs, with Sainz spinning at Turn One and Leclerc at the final corner, just as they were initiating their flying laps.

Mercedes and McLaren's Standing

Mercedes drivers George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli were fourth and fifth fastest, respectively. McLaren's Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris lagged behind in the 13th and 14th positions. Despite Sainz's fastest time, Williams team principal James Vowles cautioned that their team isn't ready to compete at the front this year, indicating a significant gap between the top teams and the midfield.

Testing Insights and Expectations

Pre-season testing often doesn't reveal the full competitive potential of teams due to varying fuel loads and engine modes. Max Verstappen, Red Bull's world champion, didn't drive, leaving his teammate Liam Lawson to finish seventh fastest. Verstappen is expected to drive on the final day of testing.

Leclerc noted before his afternoon run, "It's only testing. Everyone is hiding their true performance but the feeling is pretty good. No bad surprises but too early to judge performances."

Norris commented on McLaren's progress, "We have just tried to make the car quicker all around. Add more load. If we want to improve anything at the moment, it's the rear but the rest of it feels correct and feels in the same ball park. I don't think we are expecting to be a big step ahead of everyone. We are expecting to be close to Red Bull and Ferrari. If we are there from the off, that's the main thing."

Neither McLaren driver completed any short performance runs during Thursday's session, suggesting a focus on longer-term improvements rather than immediate speed.

Day Two Times

• Carlos Sainz (Spa) Williams - 1:29.366
• Lewis Hamilton (GB) Ferrari - 1:29.379
• Charles Leclerc (Mon) Ferrari - 1:29.431
• George Russell (GB) Mercedes -1:29.778

• Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Ita) Mercedes - 1:29.784

  Other notable times included Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) and Liam Lawson (Red Bull), finishing sixth and seventh, respectively.