Russell outpaces Piastri, Leclerc during F1 testing in Bahrain

SAKHIR, Bahrain (AP) — Mercedes driver George Russell was fastest on the first day of Formula 1's final testing event ahead of the new season, edging McLaren's Oscar Piastri and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc on Wednesday.

In the afternoon session at the Bahrain International Circuit, Russell had a time of 1:33.459, surpassing Piastri's 1:33.739 achieved in the morning. Leclerc finished 0.28 behind the leader.

World champion Lando Norris was half a second back in fourth place.

It is the second three-day testing event to be held in Bahrain this year ahead of the opening race of the season in Australia next month.

The teams tested their new cars earlier in the year at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Regulation changes have made cars smaller and lighter, with key roles being the charging of an on-board battery and using electrical energy to boost speed.

Max Verstappen, who last week said the new cars are no fun to drive and that the series no longer feels like F1, sat out both sessions.

Red Bull teammate Isack Hadjar finished sixth fastest despite managing just 13 laps in the morning session with a water system issue.

Verstappen will be involved in a full session on Thursday.

Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso was limited to 28 laps due to a power unit issue in the morning session.

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