The Bahrain pre-season test’s second day came to a sudden halt due to a loose drain cover on the back straight near turn 11.
Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari dislodged the cover, causing damage, and subsequent hits from Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes exacerbated the situation. The FIA race director suspended the session with a red flag for a track inspection.
Mercedes examined Hamilton’s car, while Ferrari, facing a similar incident, shuttered their garage. The stoppage, disrupting testing, occurred with nearly two hours left in the morning session, impacting teams with limited testing days before the upcoming Grand Prix at the same circuit.
The proceedings were halted to facilitate a track examination while Ferrari and Mercedes assessed their vehicles for potential damage.
