Chris Medland
F1 journalist in Bahrain

Get ready for some performance runs...

A number of teams admit they want to find out a little bit more about the outright pace potential of their cars this afternoon, in the final session of the test.

It's the most representative time, as qualifying will take place from 18:00-19:00 one week from now, so the final hour of today's running will be the best comparison, and with calmer winds and cooler temperatures today than yesterday there are better conditions for the drivers too.

For any teams that do use the softest tyre compounds in that period, expect multiple runs as they will want to make set-up adjustments to understand how the new cars react in qualifying trim. But there will remain the caveats of actual fuel levels and engine modes when it comes to reading the pecking order.

Our man in Bahrain Chris Medland has some news for us that could make things interesting this afternoon...

Gareth Thomas: let's not forget that on day 3 last year in Bahrain, Tsunoda was 2nd, Raikonnen 4th, Russell 6th, and Mazapin 14th. Mercedes were 5th and 16th, so not sure these times mean anything really.

Sam: I think Lewis is probably telling the truth. The car doesn’t look very nimble, the front end is so stiff and it’s been under steering all week. Compare that to the Ferrari that’s looked planted from day one and I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re quite far off the front.

These two have been there, done that in the world of Formula 1.

Along with Lewis Hamilton, two-time world champion Fernando Alonso and four-time title winner Sebastian Vettel are the wise owls of the paddock, passing on their knowledge to the young pups coming through the ranks.

As the sport enters a new era, who do you think will finish higher this season?

Press the left thumb if Fernando Alonso is your man.

Or hit the right thumb if you think Sebastian Vettel has got the goods for 2022.

Image source, Getty Images

Shall we give our index fingers a workout again with another top pick?

One that involves Mr Vettel, I think...

The Aston Martin of Sebastian Vettel slips into the top 10 with a 1:36.606. Very early days in this session, though...

Debris flies off the Williams of Alex Albon into the path of Valtteri Bottas' Alfa Romeo, so the virtual safety car is flashed for a moment to clear things up.

Andrew Benson
BBC Sport’s chief F1 writer

Lewis Hamilton has finished his pre-season testing, and he gave a pretty stark assessment of Mercedes’ current position in the news conference over the lunch break. "We are not the quickest at the moment," he said. "Ferrari look quickest, then perhaps Red Bull, and maybe McLaren. But we’re currently not at the top.” He added: "At the moment, I don’t think we’ll be competing for wins."

On Friday, Carlos Sainz was dismissive of such claims from Mercedes. But Hamilton had an answer for anyone thinking they were hiding their pace - or ‘sand-bagging’ in F1 lexicon.

"Next week we will get a much better showing of our pace but I think people will be surprised maybe," he said. "Or at least people keep talking about us talking ourselves down. But it’s a bit different this year."

Keep sending me your thoughts on Mercedes' performance so far in testing.

Sandbagging? Or something for Toto Wolff and the team to think about?

Chris Medland
F1 journalist in Bahrain

Image source, Getty Images

A number of teams carried out race simulations during the morning - including Mercedes and AlphaTauri - and that led to some good on-track battles.

Perhaps more important than whether the aerodynamics allow cars to follow more closely without losing performance is whether the Pirelli tyres do not overheat in such a scenario.

So far, the signs are positive from most drivers, who are noticing degradation but less severe overheating in traffic, even in the high temperatures in Bahrain.

Meanwhile, did we see a hint at Mercedes' relative performance struggles? Halfway through their race stint, Hamilton couldn't drop Gasly - who also appeared to be on a race simulation - and pull away.

Lando Norris is hanging around the McLaren garage after his mega stint in the car.

A small group of British fans are waving flags in support of George Russell as the Briton gets to grips with the Mercedes.

Unfortunately, we wont get to see Daniel Ricciardo at all today after McLaren confirmed the Australian has tested positive for Covid-19.

He's promised team-mate Lando Norris a gallon of milk for shouldering the responsibility over the last three days.

McLaren say Ricciardo should be released from isolation in time for next week's season opener.

Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo)

Yuki Tsunoda (Alpha Tauri)

Esteban Ocon (Alpine)

Sebastian Vettel (Aston Martin)

Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

Mick Schumacher (Haas)

George Russell (Mercedes)

Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

Alex Albon (Williams)

Valtteri Bottas has the track to himself and puts down a first marker of 1:40.834 on a set of hard tyres.

Who else wants to come out to play this afternoon?

Pierre Gasly, who topped the timing sheets on the first day of Bahrain testing on Friday, was the lap king this morning, banking a total of 91 in the Alpha Tauri.

Image source, Getty Images

If you're just joining us today, welcome!

Here are the times and laps from this morning's session.

Green light.

Hello again, everyone.

I've just eaten a tomato and basil soup that was on a whoopsie sticker yesterday and it was absolutely delicious, so this is already a good session.

Our next crop of drivers will have four hours to get comfortable in the car before lights out next Sunday.

Here we go again...

One last rehearsal before the curtain goes up.

Image source, Getty Images

Right, a speedy pit stop for us all now and we'll be back with you at 12:00 GMT.

Will anyone beat Checo's fastest time in the afternoon session?

We'll find out shortly...

Image source, Getty Images