A power cut has delayed Formula One’s opening day of pre-season, as the Bahrain International Circuit was plunged into darkness on Wednesday afternoon.
With the first ‘lights out’ of the season not expected until the Australian Grand Prix in two weeks’ time, drivers were forced to pit and teams were left to pull out their torches as testing was stopped.
In an environment where the weather was slightly different in Bahrain, while waiting for the circuit-wide power cut to be resolved, Max Verstappen and Christian Horner were seen chatting in the Red Bull garage.
Once power had been restored and the drivers returned to the track, Ted Kravitz noted that Red Bull would likely relish the additional time provided by the delay.
Red Bull grateful to make multiple changes to Max Vestappen’s car
Verstappen was repeating a pattern of a cool lap followed by a push lap before the Bahrain circuit was plunged into darkness.
“There’s about four or five different setup changes and repairs going on at the same time on Max Verstappen’s car,” Kravitz reported for Sky Sports.
“They’ll be grateful for the extra hour.
“It is all just, it seems to me, trying a different setup.”
Returning to the track again after those apparent set-up changes to the RB21, Verstappen joins Lando Norris and George Russell in the top three.
Bizarre power cut in Bahrain explained by track officials
The first day of pre-season testing in the Middle East has been remarkable, but not exactly for predictable reasons.
The afternoon session delay which led to an hour extension, was been explained by officials in a statement from the circuit.
“At approximately 5 pm (2 pm UK) today, a power outage caused by an external substation failure led to the afternoon session on track to be paused.
“Power has since been restored and the afternoon session has resumed. We appreciate everyone’s patience.”
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