AFTER possibly the greatest season in Formula One history, the drivers are BACK on the track for 2022 at the Bahrain Grand Prix.
World champ Max Verstappen is hoping to retain the title he won in thrilling fashion last year.
But of course Lewis Hamilton is still hoping to win what would be a record driver’s world title.
- TV channel: Sky Sports F1
- Live stream: Now
- Saturday, March 19: Qualifying (3pm)
- Sunday, March 19: Bahrain Grand Prix (3pm)
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Stay up to date with all the latest from the latest from the Bahrain Grand Prix in our live blog…
Q1 standings
- Leclerc
- Sainz
- Verstappen
- Bottas
- Magnussen
- Ocon
- Gasly
- Norris
- Russell
- Hamilton
- Perez
- Alonso
- Schumacher
- Zhou
- Albon
Reaction to Ricciardo’s failure
McLaren team principal Andreas Seidl has reacted to Daniel Ricciardo’s failure to make it out of Q1.
He said: “I think we just saw the result of everything that happened in the last seven-eight days.
“I think he was on the back foot from the beginning going into this weekend after missing out on the test last week, then he lost additional time yesterday with the water leak that we had, so it was always difficult challenge for him today.
“In addition, we just struggled really, all weekend with the pace of the car. I think that’s a result of all the fire-fighting we’ve had to do.”
Alfa Romeo progress
Alfa Romeo have got both drivers through with Bottas impressing in P4.
Magnussen has finished in fifth while Schumacher clinches P13 .
Some big upsets in Q1
Hamilton is only fifth-quickest
First flying runs done and I will say it again. Mercedes have work to do!
Russell is down in 11th place. Surely they will both get into Q2 at the very least.
Max looking unstoppable
Yes, it is early days, but he has smashed in an early lap to go 1.1 seconds clear. Staggering.
We are go in Bahrain
Alex Albon is first out in his Williams. He has plenty of work to do this season.
No going back
Haas had no option but to drop Russian driver Nikita Mazepin after Putin invaded Russia.
That’s according to Haas’ team principal Guenther Steiner.
He said: “The criticism, the sanction all together, it didn’t work out any more.
“We made it [the decision] as a team and always with the background of what is best for the team.
“Because the biggest asset here is the team, with all the people we employ here, all the people who work here, we cannot put that at risk.”
Ferrari chief’s delight
Ferrari chief Mattia Binotto is happy with his team’s performance since last year.
He said to Sky Italia: “For sure it made a step forward compared to last year. We have to wait for qualifying tomorrow when everyone will push at the limit,” he explained.
“So today’s indications are not a final result yet. But it’s a good sign, then in qualifying we will all unleash full power and we will see where we will be.
“The testing showed we could be fast, as well as they showed Red Bull were fast too, maybe even more than us.”
F1’s Abu Dhabi admission
Formula One have confirmed that the controversy which decided Max Verstappen’s remarkable title win over Lewis Hamilton was caused by ‘human error’.
The FIA, the sport’s governing body, finally released their report into the dramatic finale in Abu Dhabi las year.
And while they admitted errors were made, it has been determined that race director Michael Masi acted in ‘good faith’.
They also insist that the result for the race and Verstappen’s championship triumph was ‘valid’ and will stand.
Hamilton writes off Mercedes’ chances
Lewis Hamilton has ruled out a win for Mercedes at the Bahrain GP.
The Brit admitted that his Mercedes team will just be there to make up the numbers as Red bull are far superior at the moment.
Hamilton said: “I am just realistic. We are not going to be in the race for a win here.
“The Red Bulls are a long way ahead, it is in the region of 0.8-0.9secs ahead of us and Ferrari are something like 0.6secs ahead of us. We are fighting with whoever is behind them.”
Top 10 finish
Here’s how the top ten finished in the final practice round this afternoon.
Hamilton could only muster a sixth spot finish.
And the Brit could only helplessly watch on as Verstappen cruised to another practice round win.
Hamilton’s team-mate Russell fared a bit better and finished the race in fourth.
- Max Verstappen – 1:32.544
- Charles Leclerc – +0.096
- Sergio Perez – +0.247
- George Russell – +0.391
- Carlos Sainz – +0.509
- Lewis Hamilton – +0.577
- Kevin Magnussen – +0.893
- Valtteri Bottas – +1.189
- Guanyu Zhou – +1.336
- Lance Stroll – +1.376
Verstappen wins!
Verstappen has stormed to victory once again in the FP3.
And he was followed closely by Leclerc in an identical finish to yesterday’s second practice.
Perez, Russell, Sainz and Hamilton compile the rest of the top six.
Close call
Alpine driver Fernando Alonso narrowly avoids a crash with Carlos Sainz.
Alonso was forced to slam on the brakes to avoid Sainz who emerged into his path.
Pitstop for Max
Verstappen’s been forced into a pit stop due to a tyre issue.
Verstappen’s crew are tending the front left tyre that seems to be giving him problems.
Views from the top
Here’s how the top five looks with just five minutes left to go.
There’s no sign of Hamilton as Verstappen and Leclerc battle it out for pole position.
- Max Verstappen – 1:32.544
- Charles Leclerc – +0.096
- Sergio Perez – +0.247
- George Russell – +0.391
- Carlos Sainz – +0.509
Verstappen retains top spot
Verstappen has made sure Russell’s lead is short-lived and reclaims the top spot.
The Dutch ace has got a time of 1:32.544.
And now there’s only 0.096 between him and Leclerc.
Russell takes the lead
George Russell has turned the race on its head and has stormed into the top spot.
The Mercedes driver gets a time of 1:32.935- tenth clear of Verstappen,.
Ferrari’s Sainz is in third while Hamilton’s in fourth.
Not going well for McLaren
Mclaren are having a tough FP3 with Norris languishing in 14th on the softs.
Ricciardo isn’t doing much better and is in 17th spot behind Norris.
It comes after he missed three test days last week due to catching covid.
Hamilton’s progress
Hamilton has improved his form in the race and shot up the table.
The Brit is now up to second place just 0.086 behind rival Verstappen.
Tsunoda’s hydraulic issues
Yuki Tsunoda’s session has been delayed unfortunately
The Scuderia Alpha Tauri team spotted a hydraulic problem and are currently working to fix the issue.
Leclerc’s spin
Here’s a closer look at Leclerc’s earlier spin out on the track.
Early lap times
here’s how things stand in the third practice race after just under half hour.
Verstappen’s in pole position and Leclerc’s trailing behind in a reflection of yesterday’s proceedings.
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 1:33.035
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) +0.762
- Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) +1.113
- Sergio Perez (Red Bull) +1.125
- Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) +1.221
- Kevin Magnussen (Haas) +1.228
- George Russell (Mercedes) +1.435
- Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo) +1.582
- Mick Schumacher (Haas) +1.594
- Zhou Guanyu (Alfa Romeo) +2.283
- Alexander Albon (Williams) 2.77
- Nicholas Latifi (Williams) +2.926
- All these top 12 have been on the softs
Leclerc spins out!
Leclerc emphatically spins out at Turn 11.
He runs through the gravel but manages to recover the situation and continue on his way.
It could’ve been a lot worse if the Ferrari driver didn’t stop himself from going into the wall.
Verstappen makes early statement
Max Verstappen has stormed past his rivals with a stunning first lap time of 1:33:05.
That times seven tenths better than anyone else so far and 1.2 seconds better than Lewis Hamilton who’s dropped down to fifth.
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
