Red Bull’s Max Verstappen edged Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in second practice at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix. Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz was third with Mercedes driver George Russell fourth, but 0.5 seconds off the pace. Verstappen was 0.084secs quicker than Leclerc as Red Bull and Ferrari seemed to establish themselves as the teams to beat. Red Bull and Ferrari also appeared to be closely matched when the teams simulated race fuel loads later in the session, with Verstappen and Leclerc lapping at a similar pace, albeit on a very small sample of laps. Russell’s lap suggests the Mercedes have the potential to be third fastest team but they look to be a significant margin behind Red Bull and Ferrari, although a definitive picture will not be seen until after qualifying on Friday.

Follow MotorMouth on social media:

• 
• 
• 
•