Verstappen back in the RB22, Hamilton in Ferrari: Who drives day 3 in Bahrain

The first leg of the two-part pre-season testing programme at the Bahrain International Circuit draws the curtain, but who will be hitting the track for their respective team on the last day of testing?

As with the previous two days, teams have scheduled their drivers across both sessions at Sakhir. Some will alternate between their pair, while others have opted to hand full-day duties to a single driver to maximise mileage.

The final day of the opening test will follow the same timetable, running from 8 am to 5 pm CET. Each day is split into two four-hour sessions, separated by a one-hour lunch break.

Max Verstappen driving the RB22 in Bahrain - Photo: Race Pictures

Verstappen returns, Hamilton steps in for Ferrari

Max Verstappen is set to return to the cockpit of the RB22, replacing team-mate Isack Hadjar, who handled all of Red Bull’s running on day two. The young Frenchman managed 87 laps after the team encountered issues with its engine, but he is expected back for the afternoon session on the final day.

Lewis Hamilton will also be in action for the Scuderia Ferrari outift, taking over driving duties in the SF-26. The seven-time world champion sat out day two, with Charles Leclerc completing both sessions for the Italian team.

Lewis Hamilton during the Bahrain test - Photo: Race Pictures

McLaren have chosen the single-driver approach, and Oscar Piastri is set to run the MCL40 throughout the day, the same as it was with teammate Lando Norris on the second day of running. Mercedes, meanwhile, will continue with their split strategy, with George Russell driving in the morning before handing over to Kimi Antonelli in the afternoon.

See the full list of participating drivers below.

Read also

The Antonelli line in Netflix trailer that quickly backfired

Mercedes engine row exposes F1’s winter testing mind games

Leclerc leads combined timesheets after two days of Bahrain testing

What Hadjar’s long runs reveal compared to Verstappen’s benchmark

Norris fires back at Verstappen over F1 rules: 'If he wants, he can retire'