Formula One Testing Disrupted as Loose Drain Cover Damages Leclerc's Ferrari
Formula One pre-season testing in Bahrain faced an unexpected halt on its second day after a loose drain cover wreaked havoc on the track. The incident occurred during the morning session at Turn 11 of the Sakhir circuit as session leader Charles Leclerc encountered the loose cover, causing damage to the car's floor and bringing out the first red flag of the year.
Television footage captured the moment as debris flew into the air, with both Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton navigating the compromised section. However, this isn't the first time Ferrari has suffered such mishaps, with a similar incident occurring for the team in Las Vegas last November. Ferrari confirmed modifications to Leclerc's car's floor were necessary, highlighting the challenges teams face in maximising their limited testing opportunities.
The morning session, initially scheduled for four hours, was cut short by almost two hours due to the unforeseen incident. The red flag persisted as repairs took place at Turn 11, resulting in the afternoon session being brought forward by an hour to compensate for lost track time. With only three days of testing before the record 24-race championship kicks off in Bahrain on March 2, every minute of on-track activity is crucial for teams.
Leclerc Remains on Top
Despite the disruption, Leclerc retained the fastest lap of 1:31.750, showcasing the promising pace of the SF-24. McLaren's Oscar Piastri trailed by 0.578 seconds, followed by Williams' Logan Sargeant at 0.828 seconds off the pace. Red Bull's Max Verstappen, Wednesday's fastest, and Sergio Perez maintained the team's competitive edge, emphasising that headline times may not fully reveal the true competitiveness amid varied team strategies and conditions.
