Leclerc Tells Ferrari to Ignore Fastest Lap in Bahrain Test

Charles Leclerc set the fastest time on the final day of Formula 1's first pre-season test in Bahrain but immediately instructed his Ferrari team to ignore the headline-grabbing lap. The Monegasque driver emphasized that the team's focus must remain on its internal program and reliability, not on times that offer little true indication of competitive order.

Why it matters:

Pre-season testing times are notoriously deceptive due to varying fuel loads, engine modes, and tire compounds. Leclerc's public dismissal of his own top time is a strategic reminder that real performance will only be revealed at the first race. For Ferrari, which is aiming to close the gap to Red Bull, prioritizing consistent data collection and understanding the new SF-26 car's behavior is far more valuable than a temporary place at the top of the timing sheets.

The details:

• Leclerc completed a full day in the car on Thursday, logging 142 laps without major issues—a key positive for reliability.
• His best lap of 1:34.273 was set in the morning session and was nearly half a second faster than McLaren's Lando Norris.
• The driver split the test with new teammate Lewis Hamilton, who drove on Wednesday and will take over for the final day on Friday.
• Leclerc stated the car feeling was "okay" but stressed it was "very early days," with the priority being mileage and completing planned test items.

What's next:

The testing focus now shifts to Lewis Hamilton, who will complete Ferrari's program on the final day. The team will analyze the vast amount of data collected over these three days to make final adjustments before the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix next week. Leclerc's comment sets a pragmatic tone for the team, ensuring expectations are managed and that development continues step-by-step, away from the distractions of early speculation.

summary: Charles Leclerc topped the timesheets on Day 2 of F1 testing in Bahrain but firmly told Ferrari to ignore the lap time, stressing that the real work is understanding the car's reliability and completing the test program ahead of the first race. categories: [