2024 Formula 1 Bahrain GP
Live text
F1 Bahrain GP Live Commentary and Updates - FP1 & FP2
Thursday's action from the first round of the 2024 Formula 1 season.
Live Text
Sort by
Bottas has been noted for a pit exit infringement - which might be because he crept over the pit exit line before the session officially went live. More on that when we get it.
Lights green
Zhou in the green and black Sauber helpfully demonstrates that point by heading out on track first, joined by a handful of rivals all fancying the early running.
Our vote goes to the Sauber with its bright green highlights contrasting the carbon fibre black base. Which, honestly, we didn't expect to say when it was launched.
The drivers are all ready to go in their respective garages as night envelopes the Bahrain circuit. The real question is, which car looks best under the lights?
Assuming this session all goes to plan, it should be the next real clue of the pace and pecking order between the F1 teams. Will Red Bull surge back to the top as predicted by almost everyone or can another team spring a surprise?
Twitter
It is safe to say the first practice session was a tame affair, with many teams not opting for any soft tyre running in the unrepresentative conditions compared to qualifying and the race. That all changes, with this session starting at the same time as the grand prix begins on Saturday.
Good afternoon one and all! We're back for FP2 which starts in a little under 15 minutes.
And with that, it's time for us to head off until FP2 begins at 3pm UK (6pm local). Until then, here is the full report from the session. https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/f1-bahrain-gp-ricciardo-quickest-in-first-practice-from-norris-and-piastri/10581189/
Daniel Ricciardo, RB F1 Team VCARB 01
Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Practice starts are taking place on the grid. Peculiar from Verstappen, who looked to complete a practice start from further back on the grid and came across stationary traffic.
Twitter
But with the top four among the few drivers to have run the soft tyre, don't take too much from these times!
Ricciardo will end FP1 as the fastest driver with Norris and Piastri following for McLaren.
Tsunoda is fourth from Alonso and Verstappen.
Tsunoda is fourth from Alonso and Verstappen.
Checkered flag
The chequered flag falls on FP1 and there are no drivers improving their times.
Quote
"The car is super-snappy in Turns one and two. It's horrendous," reports Stroll, who is P14.
17 drivers remain on the track as we enter the final four minutes of the session.
Twitter
Twitter
A brief moment of yellow flags but it's not overly clear why. The flags were withdrawn very quickly.
With the focus seemingly having shifted from times to long runs, Hulkenberg has completed the most laps so far with 23 tours. He is the only driver to go beyond 20, although Sainz will cross this boundary when he begins his next lap.
Zhou is about to cross the line on his soft-tyre run and he improves to P13. A second off the pace, that is unlikely to have been a confidence-building run.
15 minutes remain and RB lead the way with Ricciardo from Norris and Piastri.
We've not yet seen any of the expected heavy hitters fit the soft rubber. Given how unrepresentative this session is of either qualifying or the race, it is possible the option will be saved entirely for later on.
More complaints from Verstappen as he suggests his Red Bull "must have positive torque". Would it be FP1 if the Dutchman wasn't complaining?
Stopwatch
Have RB revealed their hand? Ricciardo goes fastest with a 1m32.869s as Tsunoda puts his car fourth.
But here come more soft tyres as we enter the final 25 minutes. Ricciardo, Tsunoda and Ocon have all fitted the red-walled tyres.
Stopwatch
Green in sector three and purple overall. Norris goes 0.212s clear of team-mate Piastri at the top with a 1m32.901s.
Green in sector one, purple in sector two for Norris...
Norris stops and has also fitted the soft tyre now. McLaren are going a different way in the session compared to their rivals.
Stopwatch
Soft tyre alert! Piastri fits a set of the red-walled compound and leads to the top with a 1m33.113s. He is the first driver to use the softest option available this weekend.
For reference, this weekend's soft tyre was badged as the medium during testing - the C3.
For reference, this weekend's soft tyre was badged as the medium during testing - the C3.
Stopwatch
Breaking the silence, Albon puts in a 1m34.820s to move up to P12.
A lot of work going on at Mercedes as front wing changes are made to both cars.
Twitter
After the initial stints, we're now in a moment of calm as most drivers have returned to the pits. No driver is on a hot lap at present.
Alonso goes fastest in sector one but dropped off as the lap went on and went fifth.
Stopwatch
Meanwhile, the benchmark continues to drop at the top, with Russell briefly going top before Verstappen responded immediately with a 1m33.535s.
A 1m37.623s puts Zhou 18th with his opening effort.
Bottas goes to P16 and Albon to P11 with their first fast laps. Zhou is back on the track after Sauber have resolved his brake issue.
Following his criticism, Red Bull have made a front wing adjustment to Verstappen's car.
All 20 drivers have now featured but Bottas, Zhou and Albon are yet to set times. That said, Albon is now on a hot lap.
By: Autosport Staff
Published:
Lap:
