Day 1 of testing in Bahrain draws to a close. Another good session for Mercedes & Mclaren with FI & Sauber also showing good pace and reliability. Although Ferrari showed pace and did a lot of laps it was stop-start without them doing any long runs which has got a few chins waging in the paddock.
1. Hulkenberg, Force India, 1:36.880, 78 laps;
2. Alonso, Ferrari, 1:37.879, 64 laps;
3. Hamilton, Mercedes, 1:37.908, 74 laps;
4. Magnussen, McLaren, 1:38.295, 81 laps;
5. Vettel, Red Bull, 1:40.224, 14 laps;
6. Sutil, Sauber, 1:40.443, 82 laps;
7. Frijns, Caterham, 1:42.534, 68 laps;
8. Kvyat, Toro Rosso, 1:44.346, 5 laps;
9. Grosjean, Lotus, 1:44.832, 8 laps;
10. Massa, Williams, No time, 5 laps.
11. Bianchi, Marussia, No time, 3 laps;
The big news though, as it was in Jerez, was the problems all the Ranualt teams are having and in particular Red Bull. Vettel managed to pop one decent lap in before breaking down with reported scorching to the rear (ouch) and a distinct smell of burning. Renault clearly have not solved their issues. If they couldn't fix it over the last 2 weeks the chances of getting it fixed in the next 3 days is remote so the likelyhood is this will be another wasted testing opportunity for all the Renault teams. It's going to take a minor miracle for Red Bull to arrive in Melbourne with a remotely competitive car. Caterham must be getting quite excited at the possibility of having a car that might be ahead of 2 or 3 other teams.