F1 Sakhir Grand Prix practice LIVE: Russell FASTEST in P1, Bottas and Albon struggle – latest updates, results

RUSSELL QUICKEST – BRIT IMPRESSES ON MERC DEBUT

George Russell finishes P1 in his first session for Mercedes having stepped in for Lewis Hamilton, who will miss this weekend after testing positive for Covid.

Max Verstappen in P2 while his Red Bull teammate, Alex Albon is third quickest.

Valtteri Bottas had a miserable session and was in P4 and now under pressure from Russell.

BOTTAS BACK ON TRACK

But he does not look happy on track. He is locking up and running wide. He is making too many mistakes given his experience in that car.

THESE TIMES ARE TUMBLING

This is going to be a very quick lap for qualifying. Russell in P1 with a 54.546secs.

But just as the these cars are picking up speed, there are mistakes for Bottas and Albon, who lose control but both avoid making contact with the barriers.

VERSTAPPEN NOW IN P1 BUT….

He has a steering wheel issue. He says the positioning has changed mid-lap. That will be a concern.

28 minutes to go and it is Verstappen, Kvyat, Russell and Bottas.

BOTTAS MUCKS UP HIS LAPS

Just the opposite to what he needed. He sees Russell go quickest and then stuffs up his own flying laps.

He is under pressure now from the Brit. If he is beaten by him on Sunday, his whole career will be questioned.

RUSSELL IS QUICKER THAN BOTTAS

It is still early days but Russell has gone to the top of the time sheets and beating teammate Valtteri Bottas, that is going to sting the Finn.

ALMOST DARK IN THE DESERT

FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF THIS TRACK

It is remarkably bumpy in parts, and a very, very short lap. Qualifying is going to be very interesting and perhaps, very messy.

Short lap and high speeds will be a concern, factor in the bumps too and it could be very tricky for the drivers to control.

TRACK IS EMPTY

Not a single driver on the surface. Tyre changes and bodywork tweaks being done in the garages.

BOTTAS AND VERSTAPPEN HEAD THE TIMESHEETS

No surprise at the top as Bottas and Verstappen sit in P1 and P2, the Dutchman is reporting that he has brake problems and Red Bull have called him into the pits for a check.

GOOD TO SEE A BRAZILIAN BACK IN F1

RUSSELL NOW IMPROVING ON HIS TIME

He is now lapping at 1.002 his next run should be sub-one minute. Aitkin in P18 and Fittipaldi in P19.

RUSSELL IS OUT ON TRACK

The Brit has a straightforward programme for this run. He has been given time to acclimatise to the new car and the new track. He’s currently gone P6 with his first run in the car. All ok so far.

SUN SETTING IN SAKHIR

F1 RECORDS SET TO TUMBLE

This Outer track at the Bahrain International Circuit is very short and we are expected to see the quickest laps in F1 history. Already, Carlos Sainz has a lap on the board that took just 56.631 seconds.

ALSO DEBUTS FOR FITTIPALDI AND AITKEN

Pietro Fittipaldi is replacing Romain Grosjean, who is recovering from his injuries following his fiery smash last week. The American-born Brazilian is driving for the Haas team.

And Jack Aitken is filling in for George Russell at Williams. The Brit is the team’s reserve driver.

FP1 FOR THE SAKHIR GP IS GO

All eyes on George Russell in this session. His first run in Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes. He has a excellent chance of earning his first points in F1 this weekend…In fact, he could win it!