FIRST LOOK: Ferrari and Haas debut 2021 F1 cars in Bahrain

Ferrari and Haas have debuted their 2021 F1 cars on track for the first time on Thursday in Bahrain ahead of pre-season testing.

Lewis Larkam

11 Mar 2021

FIRST LOOK: Ferrari and Haas debut 2021 F1 cars in Bahrain

Charles Leclerc and Nikita Mazepin were in action on Thursday as Ferrari and Haas’ 2021 Formula 1 cars made their track debuts in Bahrain.

Following its launch on Wednesday, Ferrari’s SF21 hit the track for the first time at the Bahrain International Circuit for an initial shakedown ahead of official pre-season testing, which begins on Friday.

Leclerc was first behind the wheel of Ferrari’s latest challenger, which features a revised two-tone red livery and green Mission Winnow branding.

The Monegasque will return to the track on Friday morning when testing begins, before handing over the SF21 to Carlos Sainz in the afternoon.

Meanwhile, new Haas recruit Mazepin completed the first laps behind the wheel of Haas’ VF-21 F1 car in a similar shakedown event on Thursday.

Haas revealed its 2021 challenger - which sports a revised livery inspired by new Russian title sponsors Uralkali - last week via a series of digital renderings.

After COVID-19 related travel restrictions had prevented Haas from carrying out a usual fire-up at its factory, the American squad’s latest F1 car was successfully fired up for the first time on Wednesday in Bahrain.

On Thursday morning, Mazepin headed out of the garage to put the VF-21 through its paces for the first time as part of a filming day. Teams are allowed to carry out two promotional days per year, with mileage restricted to just 100km of running.

Mazepin’s teammate Mick Schumacher did not get behind the wheel, but the reigning Formula 2 champion will get the first extensive run-out in the VF-21 on Friday morning.

The duo are set to take part in a physical presentation of Haas’ new car in the Bahrain pitlane on Friday morning before the first of three days of testing get underway.

Sebastian Vettel was also in action in Bahrain behind the wheel of the AMR21 as Aston Martin completed the second of its two allocated filming days.