2016 Bahrain Grand Prix - Practice Sessions

LAP RECORD BROKEN IN BAHRAIN AS TIMES FROM 2015 IMPROVE BY MORE THAN FIVE SECONDS IN FP1, THREE SECONDS IN FP2

PERFORMANCE GAP OF AROUND 2.5 SECONDS BETWEEN MEDIUM AND SUPERSOFT

Following some rain on Thursday, conditions for free practice at the Bahrain International Circuit were relatively cool and windy, with track temperatures dropping as FP2 took place in the evening: at the same time as qualifying and the race. The teams concentrated the majority of their set-up and tyre work into the second session, during which the race lap record established in 2005 was broken. Paul Hembery, Pirelli motorsport director: “An indication of how much the lap times have generally improved from last year comes from the fact that the slowest time in FP1 this afternoon would have been the fastest FP1 time last year. Not only that but the race lap record was already broken in FP2. Conditions during FP2 are expected to be representative of qualifying and the race, so the teams have gathered plenty of data for what is looking like a race that will feature two, possibly three, pit stops for most competitors. During FP2 we encountered a very small amount of graining, in the cool conditions with a high fuel load. The low working range supersoft appears to have a pace advantage of about one second over the soft, helped by the cool temperatures.”

FP1 - BEST TIME PER COMPOUND

FP2 - BEST TIME PER COMPOUND

LONGEST STINTS OF THE DAY

Tyre statistics of the day:

* The above number gives the total amount of kilometres driven in FP1 and FP2 today, all drivers combined. ** Per compound, all drivers combined. Minimum prescribed tyre pressures: 21.5psi (fronts) 19psi (rears) Pirelli fact of the day: For Stoffel Vandoorne, who will start his first grand prix on Sunday, Bahrain is a place of auspicious debuts. The Belgian took his very first GP2 start in Bahrain in 2014 – and he went on to win the race. He qualified second on his Sakhir debut, before commencing a run of four consecutive GP2 poles. Spotted in the paddock today: An extraordinary survivor: Nando Parrado. For those not familiar with him, the Uruguayan was one of just 16 people who walked out of the infamous 1972 Andes plane crash, playing an instrumental role in ensuring the rescue of his fellow Old Christians rugby team members by trekking through the mountains over a 10-day period to find help. After the crash he went on to become a professional racing driver, and is now a motivational speaker and television personality. For more information: please visit our all-new website, which is regularly updated with exclusive in-depth features, news and reviews. To find out more, please visit: http://racing.pirelli.com/global/en-ww/bahrain-2016-practice