In a tight final practice session for the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix, Carlos Sainz from Ferrari set the fastest time, hinting at a competitive qualifying session later in the day. The Spaniard clocked in at one minute 30.824 seconds, just 0.141 seconds ahead of Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso, with reigning champion Max Verstappen from Red Bull trailing by 0.238 seconds in third place.
Throughout the session, Verstappen, his teammate Sergio Perez, Alonso, and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton all took turns leading the pack before Sainz eventually claimed the top spot with his flying lap. The top 14 drivers were separated by less than a second, showcasing the close competition.
Charles Leclerc from Ferrari followed in fourth place, ahead of Lando Norris from McLaren and George Russell from Mercedes. Australian driver Oscar Piastri finished in seventh place, with Perez, Haas’ Nico Hulkenberg, and Lance Stroll from Aston Martin completing the top 10.
Despite initial predictions of a dominant performance from Verstappen and Red Bull, the practice timesheets indicated a potentially fierce battle for pole position involving multiple teams. Daniel Ricciardo from Red Bull set the pace in Thursday’s practice, and the competitive nature of the session raised hopes for an exciting qualifying showdown.
In the second session, Hamilton and Russell led the pack with a one-two finish, setting the stage for an intriguing weekend of racing at the Bahrain Grand Prix, which marks the beginning of a record 24-race season for Formula One.
Additionally, the race in Bahrain and the upcoming round in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, are scheduled on Saturdays to accommodate the hosting countries’ preferences before the start of Ramadan. The decision to hold races on Saturdays in the Middle East is part of Formula One’s efforts to cater to diverse global audiences and traditions.
Overall, the practice sessions in Bahrain have heightened anticipation for a thrilling Grand Prix weekend, with drivers and teams showcasing their potential in the desert track. As the season kicks off with an array of contenders vying for the top spot, fans can expect an exhilarating battle for victory in what promises to be an action-packed season opener.
(Reporting by Abhishek Takle, editing by Alan Baldwin and Ken Ferris)
