Formula 1 testing: Five key takeaways from the weekend in Bahrain

On any other year, we’re eager to get to Barcelona for a long weekend of Formula 1 testing. Nothing beats a day in the sun watching F1 cars lap day in, day out as excitement builds for the new season.

This year, things are slightly different, with a short three-day weekend in Bahrain behind-closed-doors. None the less, it did deliver an opportunity to kick back on the sofa and watch the action.

As we head into a big year for the sport – the final season before a major regulation change – there was a lot to be gleaned this year. So as we gear up for a massive year of racing, which will have fans in grandstands, here are five headlines from testing to keep your eye on.

Five talking points from Formula 1 testing

Red Bull looking to charge this season

There seems to be a feeling that this is the season. This is it. Finally, after years of Mercedes dominance, there could be a worthy challenger.

The signs were there in Abu Dhabi, when Max Verstappen dominated the weekend – the first time since 2013 a Mercedes hasn’t won the race – but the Red Bull looked like the most complete package on track in Bahrain. There were promises from outgoing engine supplier Honda that they would be putting everything into the power unit, and they seemed to have delivered.

The Dutchman clocked the fastest time of the weekend – and was the only driver to break the 1m 29s barrier. He hailed the weekend as their best preparation for a season yet. But what about the other side of the garage, where Sergio Perez gets ready for a mega season?

He had a small but bizarre incident when the engine cover blew off his car on the main straight. But his approach was more reserved that Max’s, concentrating on longer race runs during which he looked comfortable. It was a test that couldn’t have gone better for the team from Milton Keynes, and they’re the ones everyone is talking about ahead of the season opened.

More to come from Mercedes?

It was a difficult weekend from the reigning World Champions. A gearbox issue on Day 1 ruled Valtteri Bottas out of the first session. A big blow, given the condensed running compared to previous test events.

But even when the car did get out on track, the drivers didn’t seem happy. Bottas called it “snappy and unforgiving” while Hamilton honestly admitted “it’s going to be tough”.

Interestingly, Mercedes were the only team not to perform a shakedown or filming day ahead of testing. That’s a decision they might be ruing after the gearbox issues. But does give them an extra 100km (90 laps) over the rest of the field before the first race.

But it’s a different picture from last year, when the paddock was awash with talk about the ingenious DAS system. There’s plenty more work in store for the Silver Arrows.

Yuki Tsunoda is one to watch

There were three new faces on the grid this year: Haas’ Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin, and AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda.

While there was a buzz about seeing the famous ‘MSC’ return to our screens, but the end of the weekend, it was clear Tsunoda was the one to watch. The Japanese driver is the first F1 driver born in the 21^st century, and been on a rapid rise through the ranks.

He won Japanese F4 as recently as 2018, and featured in F3 and F2 in the subsequent years. His 3^rd place finish last season was enough for Helmut Marko to put the Red Bull Junior in the AlphaTauri for this year. And by the end of day 3, he’s proved he was a worth choice.

For the final hour, Tsunoda clocked up fastest sector after fastest sector. His fastest lap was less than a tenth of a second slower than Verstappen’s fastest to place him in second. And while we know times don’t really mean squat at testing – and there’s a DRS theory swirling around – the ease and comfort with which he handles the car is impressive.

Not the start Aston Martin needed

The team formerly known as Racing Point, Force India, Spyker, Midland and Jordan, has a new guise. But there’s very much a different feel about Lawrence Stroll’s venture, as he pours millions into Aston Martin’s return to the sport.

A new look and a world champion on board in Sebastian Vettel, he aims for titles within five years. But this weekend won’t fill the team with confidence it’ll happen in 2021, as the car was plagued with issues.

Gearbox and boost pressure issues saw Vettel spend much time in the pits, clocking up only 117 laps. And the team posted the second-lowest milage across the entire weekend. For a team looking to build on a race win, pole position and four podiums last year, there’s a lot of work to be done.

The only way is up at Ferrari

Last year was a disaster for the Italian giants. After their engine loophole was closed in 2019, all three Ferrari-powered teams suffered. But Mattia Binotto seems confident the team has turned the tide – and the (horrendous) green arrow atop the engine demonstrates the direction the team is travelling.

The team boss says straight line speed is no longer an issue for the Ferrari engines, and they are seeing their winter improvements on track. But he was cagey. “I think at least on the straights the speed is alright,” he said. “It doesn’t seem to be such a disadvantage as it was last year.”

And that just scratches the surface of Ferrari’s issues. The car itself was very draggy, and was in need of a lot of development this season. With an exciting line up of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz behind the wheel, the Tifosi will be hoping it drives better than it looks.