A power cut in the region around the Bahrain International Circuit halted F1 testing running, with the drivers forced back into the pit lane in the process.

With night beginning to fall at the circuit, floodlights and lights in the pit lane were seen going out around the circuit, which prompted the red flag.

Power cut halts F1 testing with red flag stoppage

The afternoon session in Bahrain sees the session take place from daylight until the floodlights take over, and while the lights had come on initially, they went out at the circuit and in the garages, with it later being clarified that it was a regional power cut, rather than simply at the circuit itself.

The clock carried on ticking for 30 minutes before the electricity in the garages came back on, with the floodlights following soon afterwards with the circuit in closer to darkness.

Mercedes’ George Russell said of the power cut: “I came to the pits and said ‘it’s dark out here, I need to change my visor!’ Then I realised there are no floodlights around.

“It would have been hectic if this was an hour later and the sun had already set.”

More to follow…

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