F1 testing: Mercedes hit trouble with breakdown on Day Two as Max Verstappen stamps authority despite Zhou Guanyu’s fastest time

Mercedes’ preparations for the new Formula 1 season took a major hit on the second day of pre-season testing after breaking down on track in Bahrain, where Max Verstappen still appears the man to beat despite Zhou Guanyu’s surprise late fastest time.

George Russell was driving Mercedes’ 109th lap of a mixed day – after Lewis Hamilton struggled for handling in the morning session – when he was forced to stop, causing only the second red flag of testing so far.

Mercedes confirmed a hydraulics issue soon after and, while there were 90 minutes remaining in the day, Russell did not get back out on track.

Russell finished 13th out of 17 drivers and Hamilton 15th, with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff insisting they are “hiding” their real pace.

Verstappen and Red Bull, however, cannot seem to hide their speed.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Alfa Romeo driver Zhou Guanyu shoots to the top of the timesheet with a 1:31.610, which is almost half a tenth quicker than Max Verstappen

Continuing their ominous start to 2023, Verstappen posted the best time of the test – a 1:31.650 – in the least optimal afternoon conditions on Day Two, before being usurped late on by Zhou in the Alfa Romeo.

Zhou’s effort, on softer tyres and in the cooler evening conditions, was described as a testing “glory run” by the Sky Sports F1 commentators, although the team do look like genuine midfield contenders.

Fernando Alonso rubber-stamped Aston Martin’s potential by finishing third, ahead of AlphaTauri’s Nyck de Vries and Haas’ Nico Hulkenberg.

The genuine rivals for Red Bull ahead of next weekend’s opening Bahrain GP, though, appear to be Ferrari.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen secures the fastest time for his team on the same C3 tyre as the Ferrari

Carlos Sainz comfortably set the pace in the morning session as F1’s most successful team removed the shackles from the opening day, before handing over to Charles Leclerc, who went through a more mundane long-run programme and finished two places behind his team-mate in eighth.

Both drivers were buoyed by Ferrari’s pace, while refusing to comment on battling Red Bull.

They were split by Logan Sargeant, Williams’ US rookie who completed an impressive 154 laps, while Oscar Piastri and Pierre Gasly completed the top 10 for McLaren and Alpine respectively.

More to follow.