F1 Bahrain GP Live Commentary and Updates - FP1 & FP2
Thursday's action from the first round of the 2024 Formula 1 season.
Live AppleTV Race Audio
Max Verstappen and Red Bull have arrived at the Bahrain International Circuit as the clear favourites after testing.
But with the Ferrari SF-24 showing pace in the hands of both Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, and Red Bull enduring some reliability issues during pre-season, there is hope of a battle for the top step of the podium.
With the midfield appearing closer than ever, answers will begin to become clear as the action gets under way.
FP1 will begin at 11:30 GMT (14:30 local) with FP2 following at 15:00 GMT (18:00 local).
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
