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Circuits can experience power cuts

The four-hour afternoon stint was ticking along nicely when a circuit-wide power cut plunged the paddock into darkness, forcing race control to red-flag the session.

With the sun beginning to set in Bahrain, teams and drivers were faced with a lengthy delay, before the floodlights were switched on and the track was green once again.

To make sure every driver got the same amount of running, the session was extended by an extra hour.

Pre-season testing can’t escape the rain

Bahrain is usually a pleasant climate for racing, with wind more likely to affect a driver’s performance rather than rain.

But as cars headed back out on to the circuit following the red flag period, there was light drizzle that accompanied the action.

Fortunately, the smattering of rain wasn’t enough to cause any further stoppages, but the forecast for day two does carry a risk of some scattered showers.

Exciting times ahead for Hamilton and Ferrari

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It’s been a year in the making, but finally the sight of Lewis Hamilton driving a Ferrari has become a reality.

The seven-time world champion, who turned 40 in January and has signed a multi-year deal with the Italian team, completed 70 laps on his opening stint in the morning.

Norris quickest on day one

Timings in pre-season testing should always be taken with a pinch of salt, especially on day one, however, McLaren's Lando Norris ended the eight hours of running top of the timesheets.

The Briton finished ahead of the Mercedes of George Russell in second, four-time world champion Max Verstappen in third, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc in fourth and new Williams driver Carlos Sainz in fifth.

Shiny new liveries catch the eye

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The 2025 liveries were unveiled at the F1 75 live event at the O2 Arena last week, but Wednesday in Bahrain was the first chance to see how they looked on track.

Ferrari's deeper shade of red has been a hit with fans, while Alpine's blue and pink design and Racing Bulls striking white livery have also impressed.

Thank you for joining us today on day one of testing!

We will be back bright and early tomorrow from 07:00.

Until then, take care!

11. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls)

12. Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber)

13. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)

14. Jack Doohan (Alpine)

15. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)

16. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)

17. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)

18. Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber)

19. Esteban Ocon (Haas)

20. Oliver Bearman (Haas)

Chris Medland
F1 journalist in Bahrain

Testing doesn’t just apply to the cars themselves, but also new equipment teams might be using. Max Verstappen has been busy completing a long run as the day draws to a close, but earlier he appeared to have an issue with his earpieces.

While he was out of the car after his initial running, the defending champion spent some time pointing out the shape of his earpieces - that allow him to hear team radio clearly and also receive beeps that indicate when to shift gear or activate DRS - in the presence of his performance coach.

They’re exactly the sort of little details that need ironing out prior to the first race, and are only truly discovered through track running.

1. Lando Norris (McLaren) - 1:30.430

2. George Russell (Mercedes) +0.157

3. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) +0.244

4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) +0.448

5. Carlos Sainz (Williams) +0.525

6. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) +0.923

7. Andrea Kimi Antonelli +0.998

8. Liam Lawson (Red Bull) +1.130

9. Alex Albon (Williams) +1.143

10. Yuki Tsunoda (Racing Bulls) +1.180

Sam: Rain in BahRAIN. Only day one and the unexpected has happened twice. Expect the unexpected this season.

If you had no idea what flow-vis paint was, you'd think the McLaren is being vandalised.

Charles Leclerc is back out on track. Nine minutes to go of the afternoon testing.

Flow-vis paint is being sprayed on all over Lando Norris' car - full send in the last few minutes.

Norris has been protected by some bubble wrap so he doesn't get the paint on him.

Gabriel Bortoleto is on a fast lap now, the Sauber rookie has been getting to grips with his F1 challenger.

Here comes Esteban Ocon, he's completed 80 laps, the most laps on day one so far.

Meanwhile, that Ferrari is still in the garage.

Max Verstappen is on a flying lap in his Red Bull. He remains in third but has banked 65 laps.

The McLaren of Lando Norris is having work done to it in the garage.

There is an engineer working on the front wing.

20 minutes to go of what has been a bizarre day one of testing.

Racing Bulls Isack Hadjar is on a fast lap, he's making his way down the circuit.

Charles Leclerc's Ferraris is having work done by the engineers in the garage.

Esteban Ocon, who moved from Alpine to Haas, has completed the most laps so far. He's currently on 70.

Carlos Sainz is on another lap, as is Lance Stroll.

Just over 30 minutes left of the afternoon session.

Lando Norris continues at the top of the leader board.

George Russell is second and Max Verstappen is third.

Lando Norris (McLaren) - 41

Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) - 55

George Russell (Mercedes) - 48

Max Verstappen (Red Bull) - 58

Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) - 57

Pierre Gasly (Alpine) - 57

Carlos Sainz (Williams) - 49

Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) - 27

Esteban Ocon (Haas) - 65

Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber) - 43

We are onboard with Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar. He's currently in 11th spot.

Meanwhile, George Russell is whizzing down the track in his Mercedes.

Chris Medland
F1 journalist in Bahrain

The FIA World Motor Sport Council has confirmed the change to a mandatory two-stop race for the Monaco Grand Prix from this year onwards.

Each driver must use at least three sets of tyres during the race, including at least two different compounds if it's a dry race.