Lewis Hamilton eclipsed by Max Verstappen in opening Bahrain Grand Prix practice
Dutchman delivered on Red Bull’s encouraging pre-season form by ending the one-hour running quickest
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Lewis Hamilton opened his bid for an unprecedented eighth world championship by finishing fourth in first practice for Sunday’s Bahrain Grand Prix.
As Formula One roared back into life here in the Gulf Kingdom, Max Verstappen delivered on Red Bull’s encouraging pre-season form by ending the one-hour running quickest.
The impressive Dutchman finished three tenths faster than Valtteri Bottas, with Hamilton half-a-second off the pace. British driver Lando Norris split the Mercedes duo in third.
On the eve of the new campaign, Hamilton, 36, said his all-conquering Mercedes team were no longer the fastest on the grid.
And judging on the very early evidence of the first running in Bahrain’s searing heat, it appears as though Hamilton will not have it all his own way this year.
Read more
Red Bull have been slow out of the gates in recent seasons, but Verstappen posted the fastest time of the winter test and again finished top of the charts here. His new team-mate Sergio Perez was sixth.
There were promising signs for McLaren, too. The British team finished third in last year’s constructors’ championship and Norris, now in his third season in F1, put his McLaren in the mix by clocking a quicker time than Hamilton.
Ferrari endured their worst campaign in four decades last year. Charles Leclerc, now the team’s number one talent following Sebastian Vettel’s transfer to Aston Martin, was fifth, 0.599 sec behind Verstappen.
Four-time world champion Vettel ended the opening running in 12th for his new team - the Aston Martin name back in F1 following 61 years away - while Fernando Alonso, returning to the grid after a two-season hiatus, was only 16th for the rebranded Alpine team.
On his debut, Mick Schumacher, the son-of seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, finished last but one of the 20 runners with his Haas team-mate, another rookie, Nikita Mazepin, bringing up the rear.
The concluding action of the day will take place later on Friday, and will be more representative of the conditions for Saturday’s qualifying and Sunday’s race, with both taking place at dusk.
PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments