Pre-Season Testing: Day 2 Recap

Nikita Mazepin was prompt out the garage at 10 a.m. local time to start the second day of pre-season testing at Bahrain International Circuit – conditions somewhat cooler than the previous day as air temperature hovered around 23 degrees Celsius (73.4 degrees Fahrenheit) with track temperature at 39 degrees Celsius (102.2 degrees Fahrenheit). 

With a focus on banking additional mileage to complement the 70 laps recorded by the 22-year-old on Friday, Mazepin ended a productive morning behind the wheel of the VF-21 with 76 laps, which included a race simulation, and a fastest time of 1:33.101 – placing him 14th overall from the 16 drivers participating Saturday. The run plan saw Mazepin cycle through the Pirelli C2 White, C3 Yellow and C4 Red tires over the course of his Saturday session.

Mick Schumacher strapped back into the VF-21 for the afternoon session, the reigning FIA Formula 2 Champion looking to make up for a frustrating Friday morning after a technical issue limited him to just 15 laps on day one of testing.

Schumacher started his test plan with a series of short runs utilizing new C3 Yellow tires before sampling fresh sets of the C4 Red. Schumacher clocked his quickest tour of the day on the C4 compound, his fast lap a 1:32.883 to sit 12th on the timesheets. Like his teammate before him, Schumacher then transitioned to a race simulation – the rookie wheeling the VF-21 into the early evening around the 5.412-kilometer (3.363-mile) floodlit circuit. The team concluded the day with full-crew pit stops before the checkered flag. Schumacher ended the session with a solid tally of 88 laps.

Mazepin and Schumacher combined for a total of 164 laps on Saturday – the most by a team on the day.

The third and final day of pre-season testing will see Schumacher drive the VF-21 on Sunday morning with Mazepin assuming steering duties in the afternoon.

Nikita Mazepin, Car No. 9

“It was much nicer out on track than yesterday. It was good this morning because we were able to get into more normal driving for here in Bahrain. Conditions had obviously really changed from last night, it was much nicer to drive, the conditions were much more representative of what it’s usually like in Bahrain – it’s all good track knowledge to collect. We’re chipping away at it, which is good, and I’m getting to know every member of the team better and better. I’m aware that they’re a very capable and very strong team. They need to get to know me too and see that I’m capable of achieving decent lap times and provide good feedback. We’re all getting to know each other, but at the moment consistent running is the key to the test.”

 

Mick Schumacher, Car No. 47

“It was amazing today – I really consider this as my first day in a way as yesterday was such a shame. Being able today to do things like consecutive running, going through C2, C3 and C4 tires, it’s been amazing. After two or three laps I really did feel comfortable in the car, which is promising, and it was a feeling that just increased over the day. By the end of the day I felt super comfortable – I felt at home. I feel like I’ve integrated with the team quickly, all the guys are really cool. I love working with them. I’m really looking forward to the season, it’s going to be great. But for tomorrow, I’m just after more laps, that’s our aim.”

Guenther Steiner, Team Principal

“It was a pretty good day for us today – we did all our program and over 160 laps on track between the two drivers. We went through everything as planned, simulating almost all elements of a race weekend. Unfortunately, we couldn’t take part in the sim qualifying when it was getting fast, but the most important thing was that both guys got a lot of laps in so they can learn all the procedures. We continue to try to get them as ready as possible for the grand prix in what is a very short pre-season test. I’m very happy.”

 

Today's Data

Date: Saturday, March 13
Location / Layout: Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir / 5.412-kilometer (3.363-mile), 15-turn track
Drivers: AM - Nikita Mazepin (MAZ), PM - Mick Schumacher (MSC)
Laps: MAZ - 76 laps, MSC – 88 laps
Distance: MAZ - 411.312 kilometers (255.588 miles), MSC - 476.256 kilometers (295.944 miles)
Best Lap Time: MAZ - 1:33.101 (14th overall), MSC - 1:32.883 (12th overall)
Fastest Lap: 1:30.289 by Valtteri Bottas of Mercedes
Most Driver Laps: 132 laps by Nicholas Latifi of Williams