F1 testing 2024 LIVE: Results, leaderboard and updates from Day Three in Bahrain

It’s been three days of non-stop action in testing this week, as the 2024 F1 season started with hundreds of laps for each driver around the Bahrain International Circuit.

Red Bull, with their bold approach for this year’s RB20, continued to set the pace from the off, with reigning world champion Max Verstappen quickest on day one.

• EXCLUSIVE: Sky F1 make grand prix commentator change for 2024 season

As for the rest of the pack, there appears to be little between the other top-tier contenders: Carlos Sainz was quickest for Ferrari on day two, followed by Red Bull’s Sergio Perez and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton.

Charles Leclerc was the fastest on the third and final day, with late final-session surges from Mercedes’ George Russell and Stake’s Zhou Guanyu putting them into the top-three.

Follow live updates from pre-season testing below:

F1 TESTING 2024 - LATEST UPDATES

• Five things we learned from F1 2024 pre-season testing in Bahrain

• Charles Leclerc was quickest on Friday; Russell 2nd; Zhou 3rd

• The morning session was suspended again due to loose drain cover

• LATEST: Christian Horner investigation update with ‘expected resolution date’ revealed

• Carlos Sainz was fastest on day two of testing; Perez 2nd; Hamilton 3rd

• EXCLUSIVE: Sky F1 make grand prix commentator change for 2024 season

• REVIEW: Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari? Drive to Survive misses the mark this time

Five things we learned from F1 2024 pre-season testing in Bahrain

16:45 , Kieran Jackson

It’s been three days of non-stop action in testing this week, as the 2024 F1 season started with hundreds of laps for each driver around the Bahrain International Circuit.

Red Bull, with their bold approach for this year’s RB20, continued to set the pace from the off, with reigning world champion Max Verstappen quickest on day one.

As for the rest of the pack, there appears to be little between the other top-tier contenders: Carlos Sainz was quickest for Ferrari on day two, followed by Red Bull’s Sergio Perez and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton.

Charles Leclerc was the fastest on the third and final day, with late final-session surges from Mercedes’ George Russell and Stake’s Zhou Guanyu putting them into the top-three.

Here’s what we learned from the pre-season test in Bahrain:

Five things we learned from F1 2024 pre-season testing in Bahrain

F1 testing 2024 LIVE: TOP-10 ON DAY THREE

16:20 , Kieran Jackson

1. Charles Leclerc - 1:30:322

2. George Russell - +0.046 secs

3. Zhou Guanyu - +0.325 secs

4. Max Verstappen - +0.433 secs

5. Yuki Tsunoda - +0.453 secs

6. Alex Albon - +0.662 secs

7. Oscar Piastri - +0.708 secs

8. Fernando Alonso - +0.837 secs

9. Carlos Sainz - +0.925 secs

10. Sergio Perez - +1.161 secs

F1 testing 2024 LIVE: Cars now attempting race starts on the grid

16:06 , Kieran Jackson

A few practice starts on the grid, as well as a trial of the lights out.

A somewhat dreary end to pre-season testing. That’ll be it!

F1 testing 2024 LIVE: VSC test

15:57 , Kieran Jackson

The usual end-of-session test now, with the FIA trialling their systems with the VSC, safety car and red flag being thrown.

Cars will come in - but should come back out for the final 10 minutes or so.

F1 testing 2024 LIVE: George Russell up to fourth

15:45 , Kieran Jackson

Bit of much-needed pace from the Mercedes W15!

With a new set of C3 tyres, George Russell goes fourth fastest - 0.548 secs off Leclerc.

Just under half-an-hour to go... will we get anymore times to impact the top of the timesheet?

F1 testing 2024 LIVE: Yuki Tsunoda rockets up to P3!

15:36 , Kieran Jackson

Yes it’s the C4 tyre, but there’s definitely some pace in that RB car!

Yuki Tsunoda jumps up to third with a 1:30:835, 0.513 seconds off Leclerc in first.

Meanwhile, Max Verstappen seems unbothered with his P2 spot: he’s just put on the harder C2 tyre. He won’t improve...

F1 testing 2024 LIVE: Tribute to Gil de Ferran

15:25 , Kieran Jackson

The ex-McLaren executive and Indy 500 winner died in December at the age of 56 after a heart attack.

F1 testing 2024 LIVE: One hour left!

15:10 , Kieran Jackson

Seven hours down (including one hour suspension) - one hour to go on the final day of testing!

Charles Leclerc still top - 1:30:322 - ahead of Max Verstappen by 0.433 secs, but on the softer C5 tyre compared to Verstappen’s C3. Will we see the RB20 with a soft tyre?

3. Piastri - +0.708

4. Alonso - +0.837

5. Sainz - +0.925

6. Perez - +1.161

7. Hulkenberg - +1.364

8. Russell - +1.545

9. Tsunoda - +1.623

10. Hamilton - +1.677

F1 testing 2024 LIVE: Long runs aplenty

14:54 , Kieran Jackson

Representative race and qualifying conditions right now, but most cars going out and setting long run laps right now.

Oscar Piastri has shifted up to P3, seven-tenths off Leclerc’s table-topping time.

F1 Testing 2024 timings – Day 3

14:11 , Kieran Jackson

1 Charles LECLERC Ferrari 1:30.322 24 laps

2 Max VERSTAPPEN Red Bull Racing +0.433 16

3 Fernando ALONSO Aston Martin +0.837 27

4 Carlos SAINZ Ferrari +0.925 71

5 Sergio PEREZ Red Bull Racing +1.161 53

6 Oscar PIASTRI McLaren +1.187 32

7 Nico HULKENBERG Haas F1 Team +1.364 32

8 Lewis HAMILTON Mercedes +1.677 49

9 Lance STROLL Aston Martin +1.716 46

10 Lando NORRIS McLaren +1.786 20

11 George RUSSELL Mercedes +2.193 31

12 Alexander ALBON Williams +2.261 76

13 Pierre GASLY Alpine +2.573 23

14 Kevin MAGNUSSEN Haas F1 Team +2.731 80

15 Esteban OCON Alpine +2.757 55

16 Yuki TSUNODA RB +2.876 24

17 Valtteri BOTTAS Kick Sauber +3.206 28

18 Daniel RICCIARDO RB +6.693 70

19 Guanyu ZHOU Kick Sauber +8.089 32

20 Logan SARGEANT Williams

F1 testing 2024 LIVE

13:57 , Jack Rathborn

F1 testing 2024 LIVE: Christian Horner investigation update with ‘expected resolution date’ revealed

13:46 , Kieran Jackson

The investigation into Red Bull F1 boss Christian Horner is expected to be resolved before next week’s season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix, according to reports.

Horner strongly denies allegations of “inappropriate behaviour” from a female colleague, with his future as the longest-serving team principal in the sport hanging in the balance while an external lawyer analyses all the evidence.

Horner, 50, insisted at pre-season testing in Bahrain on Thursday that he wants the outcome to the probe “as soon as possible”, with the first race of the 2024 Formula 1 season just one week away.

Full piece below:

Christian Horner investigation update with ‘expected resolution date’ revealed

F1 testing 2024 LIVE: Charles Leclerc goes fastest!

13:32 , Kieran Jackson

New C3 tyres - and a new man at the top of the leaderboard!

Leclerc sets a 1:30:409, three-and-a-half tenths quicker than Verstappen.

F1 testing 2024 LIVE: Max Verstappen goes quicker still!

13:25 , Kieran Jackson

Verstappen cuts his fastest time to to the 1:30s, with a 1:30:763 - now 0.484 secs faster than Carlos Sainz.

Fernando Alonso is up to third, five-tenths behind Verstappen.

1-10: Verstappen, Sainz, Alonso, Leclerc, Perez, Hamilton, Stroll, Norris, Hulkenberg, Russell

F1 testing 2024 LIVE: Max Verstappen shoots to the top of the times

13:14 , Kieran Jackson

That didn’t take long!

At the wheel of the RB20 - reportedly a second quicker than last year’s all-conquering RB19 - Max Verstappen goes fastest with a 1:31:058 - 0.189 secs quicker than Carlos Sainz’s time this moorning.

Charles Leclerc is not a million miles away in third, 0.316 secs behind Verstappen, with Fernando Alonso in fifth - +0.638 secs - and third quickest out of the new drivers.

F1 testing 2024 LIVE: All teams have now swapped drivers

13:03 , Kieran Jackson

Bar Williams! Alex Albon will remain in the car all day.

So the current drivers out on track are:

Red Bull - Max Verstappen

McLaren - Oscar Piastri

Ferrari - Charles Leclerc

Mercedes - George Russell

Aston Martin - Fernando Alonson

Williams - Alex Albon

Haas - Nico Hulkenberg

Alpine - Pierre Gasly

Stake - Zhou Guanyu

RB - Yuki Tsunoda

F1 testing 2024 LIVE: Oscar Piastri replaces Lando Norris

12:28 , Kieran Jackson

A bad day for Lando: it’s 20 laps and out for the Brit, due to a clutch issue at McLaren.

Oscar Piastri has already replaced him - the first driver change of the day.

All the other teams (bar Albon at Williams) will be swapping drivers soon. It seems all the teams have taken a lunch break anyhow, despite the official converging of the sessions.

Sensible.

F1 testing 2024 LIVE: Lewis Hamilton recalls being ignored by Mercedes team: ‘You’re wrong’

12:13 , Kieran Jackson

Lewis Hamilton has detailed how his complaints over the last two years to his Mercedes team about their highly inconsistent car were ignored in the latest season of Drive to Survive.

Seven-time F1 world champion Hamilton has not won a race since December 2021, with the last two years hugely frustrating for the sport’s biggest star as he craves a record-breaking eighth title.

Mercedes opted for a unique “zero-sidepod” philosophy for the 2022 campaign, an approach they persisted with at the start of 2023, but lost massive ground to pace-setters Red Bull.

Last year was particularly difficult with Mercedes enduring their first winless campaign since 2011, and in season six of Netflix’s hit F1 docu-series, Hamilton explained how his initial concerns were swept away by the team.

“I remember complaining to the team and being like, ‘look we have to make these changes, otherwise this is the trajectory we’re going to go on and this is where we’re going to end up’,” he said.

Full details below:

Lewis Hamilton recalls being ignored by Mercedes team: ‘You’re wrong’

F1 testing 2024 LIVE: Leaderboard

11:50 , Kieran Jackson

Here’s the leaderboard with 4 hr 20 min left of 2024 testing:

1. Carlos Sainz - 1:31:247

2. Sergio Perez - +0.236

3. Lewis Hamilton - +0.752

4. Lance Stroll - +0.791

5. Lando Norris - +0.861

6. Alex Albon - +1.336

7. Kevin Magnussen - +1.806

8. Esteban Ocon - +1.832

9. Valtteri Bottas - +2.281

10. Daniel Ricciardo - +5.768

F1 testing 2024 LIVE: No cars out on track

11:38 , Kieran Jackson

Are they all getting ready to change drivers? Is it a de facto lunch break?

It’s all very quiet at the Bahrain International Circuit.

F1 testing 2024 LIVE: Laps completed

11:28 , Kieran Jackson

Around three-and-a-half hours of running so far, here are all the laps completed:

Kevin Magnussen - 80

Daniel Ricciardo - 70

Carlos Sainz - 68

Esteban Ocon - 55

Sergio Perez - 52

Lewis Hamilton - 49

Lance Stroll - 46

Alex Albon - 35

Valtteri Bottas - 28

Lando Norris - 20

Still no driver changes yet.

F1 testing 2024 LIVE: Not many cars out on track right now!

10:54 , Kieran Jackson

Esteban Ocon, Kevin Magnussen, Alex Albon and Lance Stroll are the only cars out on track right now.

Albon - in the cockpit all day for Williams - currently out there on the soft C4 tyre.

F1 testing 2024 LIVE: Teams’ championship odds!

10:45 , Kieran Jackson

No surprises who the favourites are here... but McLaren in second may be a surprise!

Constructors’ championship - winner odds:

Red Bull - 2/9

McLaren - 7/1

Mercedes, Ferrari - 17/2

Aston Martin - 50/1

Alpine - 250/1

Visa Cash App RB - 300/1

Williams, Sauber - 500/1

Haas - 1000/1

Odds provided by OLBG

F1 testing 2024 LIVE: Lando Norris out of the car

10:27 , Kieran Jackson

Out of the car - and getting out of his racing overalls.

There’s a clutch issue down at McLaren on the MCL35 and it looks like Norris is getting set to make way for Oscar Piastri this afternoon.

A bit of a mixed bag for McLaren these past three days: a few issues to sort out, but generally quite quick in terms of lap-pace.

F1 testing 2024 LIVE: When will drivers switch over now?

10:13 , Kieran Jackson

This is the big question now: when will drivers switch with this session now having no break, all the way through to 4pm?

And how long will that take?

The only driver it won’t be an issue for is Alex Albon, who was already scheduled to be driving all day for Williams.

F1 testing 2024 LIVE: Carlos Sainz is top of the timesheet

09:58 , Kieran Jackson

The Ferrari driver - quickest yesterday we should not forget - is currently top of the leaderboard after the first two hours or so of actual cars on track.

Sainz is top with a 1:31:247 on the C3 tyre. Sergio Perez is second, two-tenths down, while Lewis Hamilton is 0.752 secs behind but on the quickest C5 tyre.

As for the rest:

4) Stroll - +0.791

5) Norris - +0.681

6) Albon - +1.336

7) Magnussen - +1.806

8) Bottas - +2.281

9) Ocon - +2.365

10) Ricciardo - +6.797

Everyone on the C3 tyre aside from Hamilton.

F1 testing 2024 LIVE: Who is in the car right now?

09:45 , Kieran Jackson

Red Bull - Sergio Perez

Mercedes - Lewis Hamilton

Ferrari - Carlos Sainz

McLaren - Lando Norris

Aston Martin - Lance Stroll

Alpine - Esteban Ocon

Williams - Alex Albon (all day)

Haas - Kevin Magnussen

Stake F1 Team - Valtteri Bottas

Visa Cash App RB - Daniel Ricciardo

F1 testing 2024 LIVE: Drive to Survive review

09:40 , Kieran Jackson

It is Toto Wolff’s beaming smile of delight, in an episode of ironies, which is the biggest irony of them all. Most of the episodes in season six of Netflix’s hit F1 docu-series Drive to Survive follow the same basic narrative: the team is in trouble, their driver could depart, the team finds success. Repeat. For Mercedes, it is all about their Formula 1 boss Wolff’s relationship with the sport’s biggest star Lewis Hamilton, amid contract speculation last year.

The episode title signals the first contradiction: Leap of Faith. We now know that Hamilton, despite signing a two-year extension at the Silver Arrows last August, will join the prancing horse of Ferrari in 2025. While the “leap of faith” in DtoS is reference to Mercedes changing their torrid car philosophy mid-season, the seven-time world champion has now made the ultimate jump into the unknown. And if there was any doubt that the announcement didn’t catch Wolff totally off guard, the team at Netflix has completely dispelled that theory.

“The thought of Lewis at Ferrari in a red overall?” states Wolff, after Hamilton’s Mercedes renewal. “It wouldn’t suit him.” Cue smile. Cue embarrassment. We’ll see how it suits him next year.

Full review below:

Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari? Drive to Survive misses the mark this time

F1 testing 2024 LIVE: Lewis Hamilton hits traffic

09:33 , Kieran Jackson

Hamilton going for some quicker laps on the C5 tyre and almost runs into the back of the Red Bull of Sergio Perez!

The Mercedes driver third-fastest on that ultra-soft tyre.

F1 testing 2024 LIVE: We’re back underway!

08:50 , Kieran Jackson

And the cars are straight back out on track!

Let’s hope that’s the last stoppage for a drain cover of testing...

Seven hours and 15 minutes of run time, straight through, no break.

F1 testing 2024 LIVE: Session update

08:40 , Kieran Jackson

So we won’t have a lunch break when we get back underway - we’ll be going straight through to 4pm (GMT)!

Final pieces of work being done at turn 11, a restart seems imminent.

F1 testing 2024 LIVE: Session update

08:18 , Kieran Jackson

Statement from F1: Repairs are underway to a loose drain cover at turn 11. When the session is resumed, it will run until 19:00 local time (4pm GMT).

Estimated restart time 11:45 local (8:45 GMT) - to be confirmed.

F1 testing 2024 LIVE: Christian Horner at team principals press conference

Thursday 22 February 2024 20:45 , Kieran Jackson

Horner on criticism by McLaren boss Zak Brown on Red Bull owning two teams:

“I don’t understand the noise that’s being created about it.

“The commitment that Red Bull has made to these two teams is outstanding and should be applauded, and be grateful for, rather than derided.”

Christian Horner wants his future resolved ‘as soon as possible’ amid ‘inappropriate behaviour’ probe

Thursday 22 February 2024 18:40 , Kieran Jackson

Christian Horner wants his Red Bull future to be resolved “as soon as possible” as the embattled team principal fights to save his Formula One career.

Red Bull Racing’s parent company Red Bull GmbH announced on February 5 that Horner is being investigated following an accusation of “inappropriate behaviour” by a female colleague. Horner denies the claim.

Horner addressed the media alongside four other F1 team principals on the second day of this week’s three-day test in Bahrain on Thursday. The new season starts in the Gulf kingdom next Saturday.

Asked why he has not moved aside as team principal and chief executive of Red Bull Racing with the investigation under way, Horner replied: “As you are well aware there is a process going on which I form part of, and as I form part of that process, I am afraid I cannot comment on it.”

Full piece below:

Christian Horner wants his future resolved ‘as soon as possible’

F1 testing 2024 LIVE: Sky Sports F1 make major commentator change with David Croft to miss three races

Thursday 22 February 2024 17:45 , Kieran Jackson

Sky Sports F1’s lead commentator David Croft will miss three races this season – the first time he has missed a race in 16 years – with BBC Radio 5 Live commentator Harry Benjamin to replace him.

Croft has been Sky’s lead commentator since the broadcaster obtained the UK rights to Formula 1 from the BBC in 2012 and has not missed a race in that 11-year period.

But ahead of a record 24 races in 40 weeks in 2024, the broadcaster known as “Crofty” has decided to step back from three grand prix weekends to manage his workload, The Independent can reveal.

Benjamin, an F1 broadcaster who as well as 5 Live also worked on Sky’s coverage of F1 Juniors last year, will replace Croft at Imola in May, Austria in June and Azerbaijan in September.

Exclusive by Kieran Jackson

Sky F1 make grand prix commentator change for 2024 season

F1 testing 2024 LIVE: Positions 11-20

Thursday 22 February 2024 16:48 , Kieran Jackson

F1 testing 2024 LIVE: DAY TWO TIMINGS - TOP 10

Thursday 22 February 2024 16:27 , Kieran Jackson

1. Sainz - 1:29:921

2. Perez - +0.758 secs

3. Hamilton - +1.145 secs

4. Norris - +1.335 secs

5. Ricciardo - +1.440 secs

6. Leclerc - +1.829 secs

7. Stroll - +2.108 secs

8. Ocon - 2.108 secs

9. Bottas - 2.306 secs

10. Piastri - 2.407 secs

F1 testing 2024 LIVE: End of day two!

Thursday 22 February 2024 16:11 , Kieran Jackson

An entertaining finale two day two of testing, with five or six cars racing down into turn one!

The session ends with some practice race starts and pit stops. That’s that for day two.

F1 testing 2024 LIVE: Test for the safety car!

Thursday 22 February 2024 15:59 , Kieran Jackson

Cycling through the VSC, safety car and red flag on the automated systems as a test for the FIA too!

Bit of admin, which should leave around 10 minutes at the end of the session for the cars out on track.

F1 testing 2024 LIVE: Alex Albon on Williams this season:

Thursday 22 February 2024 15:51 , Kieran Jackson

”I am genuinely excited about Williams. We have taken a huge risk this year, the feeling in the car has changed so much. That’s why we’ve been late delivering this car.

“I think there is a big push for 2026, it feels like there is such a gear up to get everything in place and these next two years are where the foundations of that are laid.

“We are trying to gear up for the regulation changes as everyone is – there are building sites as you drive into Silverstone, as everyone gets ready.”

F1 testing 2024 LIVE: Sergio Perez goes up to second

Thursday 22 February 2024 15:37 , Kieran Jackson

Sticking on some new tyres, Sergio Perez goes second-fastest with a 1:30:684 - seven-tenths off Sainz on the softer C4 tyre.

Half-an-hour to go.

F1 testing 2024 LIVE: Hamilton goes for a slide

Thursday 22 February 2024 15:32 , Kieran Jackson

The seven-time champion loses control of the W15 just momentarily at turn 1.

F1 testing 2024 LIVE: Carlos Sainz still fastest with an hour to go

Thursday 22 February 2024 15:23 , Kieran Jackson

Carlos Sainz remains top of the timesheet with an hour left on day two of testing.

Lewis Hamilton has just shot up to P2 on the C3 tyre, with a 1:31:066 lap - that’s still 1.145 secs off Sainz, who set a 1:29:921 on the softer C4 tyre.

Hamilton is also level-pegging with Sergio Perez on the number of laps completed today, at 119!

3-10: Norris, Perez, Leclerc, Ricciardo, Stroll, Ocon, Bottas, Piastri

F1 testing 2024 LIVE: George Russell on his potential 2025 team-mate:

Thursday 22 February 2024 14:47 , Kieran Jackson

“Ultimately, the decision is with Toto [Wolff] and the board.

“We’ve already had conversations and I’ve been with Toto a lot this winter, so seeing the drivers’ names pop up on the telephone has been quite funny.

“Even on my phone as well, I’ve had a few phone calls and text messages so it’s been quite interesting. As a team, we’ve got a good opportunity and we’re in a really good position to go into this next chapter, [after] there’s been so much success with Lewis and Mercedes.”

F1 testing 2024 LIVE: Laps completed today

Thursday 22 February 2024 14:31 , Kieran Jackson

Sergio Perez - 106

Lewis Hamilton - 103

Logan Sargeant - 93

Daniel Ricciardo - 64

Lance Stroll - 57

Charles Leclerc - 54

Kevin Magnussen - 54

Valtteri Bottas - 52

Yuki Tsunoda - 40

Zhou Guanyu - 38

Lando Norris - 37

Oscar Piastri - 35

Carlos Sainz - 35

Pierre Gasly - 32

Fernando Alonso - 31

Nico Hulkenberg - 31

1 hr and 40 minutes to go!

F1 testing 2024 LIVE: Alex Albon tips Max Verstappen to break record at Bahrain GP

Thursday 22 February 2024 14:03 , Jack Rathborn

Albon to F1TV: "Max is going to have a 25-second lead, he's going to go for a pit stop at the end of the race, and he's going to go for his fastest lap, and break the lap record!"

F1 testing 2024 LIVE: Lewis Hamilton down in seventh in second session

Thursday 22 February 2024 13:55 , Jack Rathborn

And no better this time for Norris, he’s +1.541 on Sainz’s best effort on his most recent lap.

Lewis Hamilton is seventh fastest today - +2.352 on Sainz, and using the C3.

It’s all very light-hearted out in Bahrain, Alex Albon is taking in the session in the commentary box.

F1 testing 2024 LIVE: Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris on top

Thursday 22 February 2024 13:46 , Jack Rathborn

Sainz (C4) remains on top for Ferrari in session two, clocking 1:29.921.

Norris is on an out lap, using the C3, and +1.335.

Then it’s Leclerc in third, Perez fourth and a big gap back to Stroll fifth.

F1 testing 2024 LIVE: Carlos Sainz and LAndo Norris now up on top

Thursday 22 February 2024 13:31 , Kieran Jackson

The times are tumbling now, with just under three hours to go of testing!

Carlos Sainz has just set the fastest time, on the softer C4 tyre, with a 1:30:686.

Lando Norris is now in second for McLaren, 0.936 secs back but on the harder C3 tyre.

3-10: Leclerc, Stroll, Bottas, Hamilton, Piastri, Sargeant, Perez, Alonso

F1 testing 2024 LIVE: Christian Horner wants his future resolved ‘as soon as possible’ amid ‘inappropriate behaviour’ probe

Thursday 22 February 2024 13:17 , Kieran Jackson

Christian Horner wants his Red Bull future to be resolved “as soon as possible” as the embattled team principal fights to save his Formula One career.

Red Bull Racing’s parent company Red Bull GmbH announced on February 5 that Horner is being investigated following an accusation of “inappropriate behaviour” by a female colleague. Horner denies the claim.

Horner addressed the media alongside four other F1 team principals on the second day of this week’s three-day test in Bahrain on Thursday. The new season starts in the Gulf kingdom next Saturday.

Asked why he has not moved aside as team principal and chief executive of Red Bull Racing with the investigation under way, Horner replied: “As you are well aware there is a process going on which I form part of, and as I form part of that process, I am afraid I cannot comment on it.”

Christian Horner wants his future resolved ‘as soon as possible’

F1 testing 2024 LIVE: Who is driving the car this afternoon?

Thursday 22 February 2024 12:42 , Kieran Jackson

Sergio Perez - Red Bull

Lewis Hamilton - Mercedes

Carlos Sainz - Ferrari

Lando Norris - McLaren

Lance Stroll - Aston Martin

Esteban Ocon - Alpine

Daniel Ricciardo - RB

Valtteri Bottas - Sauber

Kevin Magnussen - Haas

Logan Sargeant - Williams

F1 testing 2024 LIVE: Lewis Hamilton goes second fastest

Thursday 22 February 2024 12:25 , Kieran Jackson

Lewis Hamilton with his quickest time of testing so far, taking him to second on the timesheet and 0.523 secs short of Charles Leclerc’s chart-topping time of 1:31:750.

Leclerc’s team-mate Carlos Sainz is the third quickest man in this session, 1.553 secs off Leclerc in ninth overall.

F1 testing 2024 LIVE: Lance Stroll quickest in this session

Thursday 22 February 2024 12:10 , Kieran Jackson

The Aston Martin driver - who wasn’t at testing last year after he broke his wrists in the off-season - is very much present this week and has gone fastest in this session, eight-tenths off Charles Leclerc in first. Fourth overall.

Team-mate Fernando Alonso is sixth overall.

Current top-10 (covering both sessions): Leclerc, Piastri, Sargeant, Stroll, Perez, Alonso, Hamilton, Zhou, Gasly, Ricciardo

F1 testing 2024 LIVE: Carlos Sainz on the loose drain cover this morning

Thursday 22 February 2024 11:45 , Kieran Jackson

F1 testing 2024 LIVE: Christian Horner in press conference

Thursday 22 February 2024 11:34 , Kieran Jackson

The Red Bull F1 boss is facing question from the world’s media in Bahrain

Follow live updates here:

Christian Horner latest: Red Bull boss speaks in press conference amid investigation

F1 testing 2024 LIVE: Sky Sports F1 make major commentator change with David Croft to miss three races

Thursday 22 February 2024 11:16 , Kieran Jackson

Sky Sports F1’s lead commentator David Croft will miss three races this season – the first time he has missed a race in 16 years – with BBC Radio 5 Live commentator Harry Benjamin to replace him.

Croft has been Sky’s lead commentator since the broadcaster obtained the UK rights to Formula 1 from the BBC in 2012 and has not missed a race in that 11-year period.

But ahead of a record 24 races in 40 weeks in 2024, the broadcaster known as “Crofty” has decided to step back from three grand prix weekends to manage his workload, The Independent can reveal.

Benjamin, an F1 broadcaster who as well as 5 Live also worked on Sky’s coverage of F1 Juniors last year, will replace Croft at Imola in May, Austria in June and Azerbaijan in September.

Sky Sports F1 make major grand prix commentator change for 2024 season

F1 testing 2024 LIVE: Christian Horner to speak at press conference

Thursday 22 February 2024 11:10 , Kieran Jackson

Horner is set to speak at a team principals’ press conference at lunchtime.

F1 testing 2024 LIVE: Session timings in Bahrain

Thursday 22 February 2024 10:52 , Kieran Jackson

The times for testing – at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir – are now as follows:

(All times GMT)

Thursday 22 February

11am-4pm – Afternoon session

Friday 23 February

7am-11am – Morning session

12pm-4pm – Afternoon session

F1 testing 2024 LIVE: Drive to Survive review

Thursday 22 February 2024 08:45 , Kieran Jackson

It is Toto Wolff’s beaming smile of delight, in an episode of ironies, which is the biggest irony of them all. Most of the episodes in season six of Netflix’s hit F1 docu-series Drive to Survive follow the same basic narrative: the team is in trouble, their driver could depart, the team finds success. Repeat. For Mercedes, it is all about their Formula 1 boss Wolff’s relationship with the sport’s biggest star Lewis Hamilton, amid contract speculation last year.

The episode title signals the first contradiction: Leap of Faith. We now know that Hamilton, despite signing a two-year extension at the Silver Arrows last August, will join the prancing horse of Ferrari in 2025. While the “leap of faith” in DtoS is reference to Mercedes changing their torrid car philosophy mid-season, the seven-time world champion has now made the ultimate jump into the unknown. And if there was any doubt that the announcement didn’t catch Wolff totally off guard, the team at Netflix has completely dispelled that theory.

“The thought of Lewis at Ferrari in a red overall?” states Wolff, after Hamilton’s Mercedes renewal. “It wouldn’t suit him.” Cue smile. Cue embarrassment. We’ll see how it suits him next year.

Full review below:

Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari? Drive to Survive misses the mark this time