F1, Bahrain test: Alfa Romeo ahead, Ferrari on the rise, Mercedes trouble

The second day of testing at Sakhir closed, steps forward for Leclerc and Sainz.

Alfa Romeo driver Guanyu Zhou signed the fastest time on the second day of Formula 1 testing in Bahrain. The Chinese driver, using the qualifying compound, signed a time of 1:31.610, finishing 40 thousandths ahead of Red Bull driver and world champion Max Verstappen.

Chronometrically still well Fernando Alonso, who finished third in the Aston Martin ahead of De Vries’ Alpha Tauri and Hulkenberg’s Haas.

Positive signs from Ferrari, more stable and balanced than on the first day. Carlos Sainz finished in sixth place and Charles Leclerc in eighth, but neither looked for the time: both worked on the long run, getting positive feelings.

Mercedes struggled more: Hamilton and Russell closed the rear, and in the afternoon a hydraulic problem forced Russell to end practice early.

1) Zhou, Alfa Romeo, 1m31.610s
2) Verstappen, Red Bull, 1m31.650s
3) Alonso, Aston Martin, 1m32.205s
4) De Vries, AlphaTauri, 1m32.222s
5) Hulkenberg, Haas, 1m32.466s
6) Sainz, Ferrari, 1m32.486s
7) Sargeant, Williams, 1m32.549s
8) Leclerc, Ferrari, 1m32.725s
9) Piastri, McLaren, 1m33.175s
10) Gasly, Alpine, 1m33.463s
11) Magnussen, Haas, 1m33.442s
12) Ocon, Alpine, 1m33.490s
13) Russell, Mercedes, 1m33.654s
14) Perez, Red Bull, 1m33.751s
15) Hamilton, Mercedes, 1m33.954s
16) Norris, McLaren, 1m35.522s
17) Tsunoda, AlphaTauri, 1m35.708s