Hamilton sets the pace on Day One

Manama : Lewis Hamilton (one minute 31.358 seconds) set the fastest time of the day yesterday after 97 laps on day one of Formula 1 in-season testing at Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) in Sakhir.

Antonio Giovinazzi (+0.626) driving for Ferrari, had the second best time of the day, running 0.626s slower than the leading Mercedes, while Daniel Ricciardo (+0.991) of Red Bull Racing was classified third on the timesheet.

Romain Grosjean of Haas was fourth (+1.094), Felipe Massa of Williams was fifth (+1.151), Nico Hulkenberg for Renault (+2.266) sixth, Lance Stroll of Williams seventh (+2.371) and Sean Gelael of Toro Rosso (+2.527) rounded out the top eight.

Ninth to twelfth classifications went to Sebastian Vettel (+2.536), who was testing for Pirelli, Alfoso Celis (+2.581) of Force India, Marcus Ericsson (+3.192) of Sauber and Oliver Turvey (+3.653) for McLaren.

These BIC test sessions are the first of two in-season tests this Formula 1 season. The other is scheduled for August 1 and 2.

According to FIA regulations, from 10 days before the start of the season to the end of the calendar year, the teams are permitted to take part in two team tests of no more than two consecutive days at circuits where an event has just taken place. These tests must commence no less than 36 hours after the end of said event.

Silverstone was initially lined up to host the second in-season group test.

All 10 Formula 1 teams are testing at BIC today from 9am to 6pm.

Formula 1 teams are permitted to run one car during in-season running, while two of the four days must be allocated to drivers who have started fewer than two Grands Prix.

This is also according to FIA rules, which state that two days of each in-season test must be allocated to young driver
training. A young driver is classified as someone who has competed two or fewer Grands Prix.

The in-season test in Bahrain will also help assist Formula 1 tyre suppliers Pirelli with warm weather tyre development.