F1 testing: Mercedes struggles with day two breakdown as Max Verstappen asserts authority despite Zhou Guanyu’s best time

George Russell suffers from unreliability to conclude Mercedes’ second day of testing in worrying style; Zhou Guanyu passes the spectacular Max Verstappen with a late “glory run”;watch the ultimate day of testing reside on Sky Sports activities F1 at 6.50am on Saturday

Mercedes’ preparations for the brand new Method 1 season took successful on day two of pre-season testing after a observe breakdown in Bahrain, the place Max Verstappen nonetheless seems like the person to beat regardless of the quickest time shock from Zhou Guanyu.

George Russell was driving Mercedes’ 109th lap of a combined day – after Lewis Hamilton struggled to deal with the morning session – when he was compelled to cease, inflicting solely the second pink flag of testing till ‘now.

Mercedes confirmed a hydraulic downside quickly after and, with 90 minutes remaining within the day, Russell didn’t return to the observe.

Russell completed thirteenth out of 17 drivers and Hamilton fifteenth, with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff insisting they “disguise” their true tempo.

Verstappen and Crimson Bull, nonetheless, can not seem to disguise their pace.

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Alfa Romeo driver Zhou Guanyu pulls to the highest of the timesheet with a 1:31.610, virtually half a tenth sooner than Max Verstappen

Persevering with his grim begin to 2023, Verstappen clocked one of the best time of the check – a 1:31.650 – within the lower than optimum situations on the afternoon of day two, earlier than being usurped late by Zhou within the Alfa Romeo.

Zhou’s effort, 0.040s sooner however on softer tires and in cooler night situations, was described as a check “glory run” by Sky Sports activities F1 pundits, though the staff seems like actual midfield contenders.

Fernando Alonso confirmed Aston Martin’s potential by ending third, forward of AlphaTauri’s Nyck de Vries and Haas’ Nico Hulkenberg.

Crimson Bull’s actual rivals forward of subsequent weekend’s Bahrain GP opener, nonetheless, look like Ferrari.

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Crimson Bull driver Max Verstappen units quickest time for his staff on the identical C3 tire because the Ferrari

Carlos Sainz comfortably set the tone within the morning session as F1’s most profitable staff eliminated the shackles on opening day, earlier than handing over to Charles Leclerc, who rode by an extended program extra mundane time period and completed two locations behind his teammate in eighth.

Each drivers had been buoyed by Ferrari’s tempo, whereas declining to touch upon the battle in opposition to Crimson Bull.

They had been separated by American Williams rookie Logan Sargeant who accomplished a formidable 154 laps, whereas Oscar Piastri and Pierre Gasly accomplished the highest 10 for McLaren and Alpine respectively.

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