The F1 drivers have endured a long winter deprived of their favourite pastime – racing. And with the clock ticking down in the final moments of 2023 pre-season testing, the drivers let themselves off the leash with a little bit of sparring around the Bahrain International Circuit…
With a test run of the starting procedure having been carried out as pre-season running for 2023 entered its final 15 minutes, the likes of McLaren’s Lando Norris, Alfa Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas – who stopped out on track earlier in the day – and testing’s fastest man Sergio Perez then afforded themselves the opportunity to practise getting their elbows out down into Turn 1.
READ MORE: Perez and Red Bull fastest as 2023 pre-season testing comes to an end in Bahrain
A scrap around the remainder of the lap followed – giving fans a tantalising taste of what’s to come in just eight days’ time when the Bahrain Grand Prix gets the 2023 F1 season under way.
Enjoy the dummy run for the race in the video up top.
Next Up
Related Articles
Everything you need to know about F1's new rules for 2026
UnlockedQUIZ: 10 questions on the new World Champion Lando Norris
ExclusiveWhy Sainz feels ‘vindicated’ after his first Williams year
Lindblad's car number confirmed for rookie season
Verstappen reflects on Mercedes talks and F1 future
Power RankingsWho did our judges rank as the best F1 driver of 2025?