Carlos Sainz led day two of F1 pre-season testing in Bahrain, posting a 1m29.348s lap time ahead of Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, as unexpected rain affected running conditions throughout the day.

Sainz, one of only two drivers completing a full day's running alongside Red Bull's Liam Lawson, demonstrated Williams' improved pace with a time 1.6 seconds faster than the team's 2024 pre-season benchmark. The Spaniard accumulated 127 laps despite challenging conditions and a minor spin at Turn 1.

The morning session saw limited running due to increasing rain, with most teams lacking wet weather tires. Only Haas and Aston Martin had selected wet compounds during December's mandatory tire selection process, leaving other teams unable to properly utilize the wet conditions.

Mercedes drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli finished fourth and fifth respectively, separated by just 0.006s but over 0.4s behind Sainz. Lance Stroll placed sixth for Aston Martin, followed by Red Bull's Lawson, who faced technical challenges including engine water pressure issues.

Rookie drivers Isack Hadjar and Jack Doohan showed promise in their afternoon sessions, while McLaren's running demonstrated good car balance despite lower finishing positions. Lando Norris notably aborted a potentially fast lap in the final minutes to focus on pit stop practice.

Key session highlights:

• Top time: Sainz (1m29.348s) on C3 tires
• Top three covered by less than 0.1s
• Rain affected morning running significantly
• Most teams lacked wet weather tire options
• Multiple drivers experienced spins in tricky conditions

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