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Sergio Perez tops penultimate testing session in Bahrain - Morning Report

Sergio Perez tops penultimate testing session in Bahrain - Morning Report

14-03-2021 10:54 Last update: 11:34
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Sergio Perez topped the timesheet on Sunday morning in Bahrain as pre-season testing reached the midway point of the final day. Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris finished second and third, whilst Bottas was down in seventh for Mercedes.

In his final test of the weekend, Perez took to the top of the standings despite completing the fewest laps of the participating drivers. His time of 1:30.187 was enough to beat Leclerc who was 0.299 down on the Mexican. Lando Norris was third 0.474 down on the Red Bull driver.

Perez will be pleased with his progress over the weekend as he got to grips with the Red Bull which has been notoriously difficult to drive.

Bottas down the standings

It has been a bizarre pre-season testing for Mercedes. Bottas was top after Saturday's session but rounded off his pre-season testing down in seventh. Nonetheless it looks as if they are starting to get to grips with what makes their car tick and there is nothing to suggest they won't be the team to beat come the season opener. 

Alpha Tauri continued to impress and Pierre Gasly finished fourth and his compatriot Esteban Ocon fifth. Mick Schumacher concluded his first F1 pre-season test as a full time driver in sixth with Bottas (7th), George Russell (8th), Kimi Raikkonen (9th) and Lance Stroll (10th) completing the standings.

Laps galore

Kimi Raikkonen set a huge 91 laps of Sunday morning, with Bottas (86), Leclerc (80) and Norris (80) all hitting the 80 lap mark. Perez set the fewest laps but was top of the standings. 

The Finn and George Russell will be the only returning driver for the afternoon session.