F1 Bahrain LIVE RESULTS: Verstappen looks to build on Japanese GP win while Hamilton eyes first triumph – latest updates

Lap 17/57 – Leclerc leads, Hamilton second

Neither Ferrari has pitted yet.

As a result, they lead the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Piasti is in third with Albon in fourth.

Russell currently sits in fifth, with Norris in sixth spot.

Lap 15/57 – Leclerc leads, Hamilton second

Tsunoda comes into the pits and has the same issue.

It seems Red Bull’s exit light is not working.

That has cost both of their drivers some valuable seconds.

Lap 13/57 – Piastri leads, Russell second

Norris comes into the pits and serves his time penalty.

Verstappen comes into the pits also and does not have a good stop.

Both drivers have come out on hard tyres interestingly.

Lap 11/57 – Piastri leads, Russell second

Hamilton makes his move on Sainz.

The Williams driver allows him through and makes a move on him on the inside.

Moments later, Hamilton gets ahead of Sainz, quickly followed by Tsunoda.

Lap 9/57 – Piastri leads, Russell second

Gasly has got ahead of Antonelli in the places.

Verstappen is still in seventh spot as it stands.

Norris is given a five second penalty for his false-start.

Lap 7/57 – Piastri leads, Russell second

It is not looking good for Norris on this investigation.

Verstappen spotted it and said to his team over the radio “Lando is out of his grid box!”

Meanwhile, Piastri is leadig the way and has opened up a little gap to Russell in second.

Lap 5/57 – Piastri leads, Russell second

Norris is being investigated for a potential false-start.

If it goes to the stewards, it will result in a time penalty.

Everyone bar the Ferraris are out on soft tyres, LeClerc and Hamilton are out on medium compounds.

Lap 3/57 – Piastri leads, Russell second

Piastri had to drive well to hold onto his lead from the off.

Teammate Norris moved up from sixth to third with his start.

Russell is now sandwiched in between the McLaren cars.

Lap 1/57 – Piastri leads, Russell second

What a start from George Russell.

He almost got ahead of the McLaren and they almost collided after the first turn.

Lando Norris also has a good start from the grid.

Formation lap begins

Time for Oscar to shine

All the talk this season has been about Lando Norris and Max Verstappen.

However, sitting on pole position in Bahrain, Oscar Piastri has the chance to take the lead in the driver’s championship.

Moments like this are what these drivers live for, the McLaren speedster can put himself ahead of his rivals with a good ride in this grand prix.

All ready to go in Bahrain

Here is how the drivers will line up this afternoon:

Brave schuey

Michael Schumacher has made a rare and moving gesture as he signed a crash helmet with the help of his wife Corinna.

It marks one of the stricken F1 legend’s only public acts since his devastating ski accident in the French Alps 12 years ago.

The seven-time world champion, who has not been seen in public since, added his initials “M.S” to a helmet belonging to fellow F1 icon Sir Jackie Stewart.

The helmet will be auctioned to raise money for Stewart’s charity Race Against Dementia.

“It is wonderful that Michael could sign the helmet in this worthy cause – a disease for which there is no cure,” Stewart told The Daily Mail.

“His wife helped him, and it completed the set of every single champion still with us.”

Welcome to the Bahrain Grand Prix

Formula One returns to Bahrain and the thrilling action is unfolding VERY SOON!

The first three races have seen three different winners, with Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen all taking home a win so far.

McLaren’s Norris will be looking for a big response after being unable to overtake Verstappen at Suzuka last time out.

Verstappen, however, will be looking to overtake Norris and take the lead of the Drivers’ World Championship.

Lewis Hamilton starts down in 9th but he is expected to put the pedal to the metal and race up the grid.