Bahrain F1 Testing 2023 - Day 1 (Morning times)

Max Verstappen set the early pace in the first session of F1 2023 pre-season testing in Bahrain, as the Red Bull driver posted the fastest lap time of 1:32.959 and completed 71 laps during the morning.  

Carlos Sainz was the closest challenger, finishing 0.294 seconds behind Verstappen in second place, while Alex Albon claimed the third fastest time.

The teams will return for a second session at 12:15 GMT as part of the three-day test.

Ferrari reshuffles strategy team ahead of F1 season opener

Ferrari has made changes to its strategy team ahead of the start of the Formula 1 season, with Chief Strategy Inaki Rueda moving to a factory role as part of a reshuffle.

The move comes after the Italian team faced criticism over high-profile errors in strategy last year, including bad pit calls at the Monaco Grand Prix and a bizarre call at the Brazilian Grand Prix.

However, new team principal Fred Vasseur has suggested that processes rather than individuals were to blame for these errors.

Vasseur has taken action by appointing Ravin Jain, a former race strategy engineer at Maranello and a graduate of Oxford University with a first-class degree in physics and a distinction in a master’s degree in mathematical and theoretical physics, as the new Chief Strategy.

Additionally, Vasseur and Ferrari’s race director Laurent Mekies have divided areas of responsibility for the upcoming season.

From the Bahrain GP, Mekies will be focused on all the operations aspects of the team, while Vasseur will take charge of dealing with drivers, sponsors, and the media.

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