Bahrain Test: Day 2 Recap

Haas F1 Team driver Kevin Magnussen took the wheel of the VF-17 for the second and final day of testing Wednesday at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir. After teammate Romain Grosjean logged 87 laps Tuesday at the 5.412-kilometer (3.363-mile), 15-turn track, Magnussen literally one-upped Grosjean by tallying 88 laps.

Magnussen’s best time was a 1:32.120 set on his 70th lap while utilizing the Pirelli P Zero Red supersoft tire. The time placed Magnussen fifth among the 12 drivers participating in Wednesday’s test.

Haas F1 Team’s second day of testing mirrored its first, with the morning run program consisting of early reconnaissance laps followed by ongoing setup work. Magnussen ran on the White medium tire for three installation laps followed by 10 tours on a used set of Yellow softs. He then ran four stints totaling 24 laps, with each run beginning on a new set of Yellow softs. By the time the morning session ended, Magnussen had knocked out 37 laps with a best time of 1:33.192 set during his 21st lap while riding on Yellow softs.

The multiple sets of Yellow soft tires from the morning saw action again in the afternoon. The recycled rubber was used for three timed stints before a new set of Yellow softs was donned for a fourth run. With 90 minutes remaining, Magnussen switched to the faster, grippier Red supersoft tires. Four stints totaling 20 laps, each on a new set of supersofts, were completed to conclude the Bahrain test.

Quickest on the final day of testing was Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas with a 1:31.280. He also laid claim to the most laps, totaling 143 tours around the desert track.

“We got some good laps in, some good testing today. There should be some interesting stuff for the coming races. Some of the work we did today was a bit of a carryover from yesterday with Romain, but we did some new stuff as well, which was good. All in all, it’s been a productive day.”

With testing in Bahrain complete, the focus turns back toward racing with Round 4 of the 2017 FIA Formula One World Championship – the Russian Grand Prix at the Sochi Autodrom. Practice begins April 28, qualifying takes place April 29 and the race runs April 30.