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Formula 1 Bahrain GP

F1 Bahrain GP Live Commentary and Updates - FP3 and Qualifying

Saturday's Formula 1 action from the Bahrain International Circuit

Carlos Sainz Jr., Ferrari F1-75

After two extensive pre-season tests split between Barcelona and Bahrain, the new generation of F1 starts this weekend with the season opener Bahrain GP.

Friday practice saw Max Verstappen and Red Bull end FP2 on top ahead of Ferrari duo Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz Jr, while Mercedes endured a tough opening day with George Russell fourth, over half a second off Verstappen’s lap time, and Lewis Hamilton down in ninth place.

Sebastian Vettel has been ruled out after testing positive for COVID-19, with Aston Martin reserve driver Nico Hulkenberg taking on the super-sub role which he undertook for the team on three occasions in 2020.

Daniel Ricciardo is back in action for McLaren after recovering from his own positive COVID-19 test which forced him to miss the Bahrain pre-season test last week.

FP3 starts at 12pm GMT (3pm local time) and will run for one hour, with qualifying taking place at 3pm GMT (6pm local time) and will also run for one hour.

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There's all the more reason for a left-field name to top the times because the midfield looks to be very close this year. This time last year, it was inconceivable for two Haas drivers to make Q3, but both Schumacher (eighth) and Magnussen (tenth) were well up the leaderboard in FP2 last night.
As always, the afternoon sessions in Bahrain (FP1 and FP3) aren't entirely representative of what teams will face in qualifying and the race, which take place later in the day. Yesterday it was Pierre Gasly who set the pace in FP1, so don't be surprised if a left-field name turns out at the top of the times.
Away from F1, Red Bull has already notched a victory over Ferrari in Bahrain today, courtesy of Isack Hadjar in the Formula 3 race. The Frenchman, a Red Bull junior, crossed the line second behind Ferrari Driver Academy member Oliver Bearman - but was promoted to victory by a five-second track limits penalty for the Briton. Here's the report from Megan White: https://www.autosport.com/fia-f3/news/f3-bahrain-hadjar-inherits-win-after-bearman-track-limits-penalty/9131514/
Breaking news
Our Grand Prix editor Alex Kalinauckas has dug into the numbers, and in his first Friday practice analysis of the year explains why Red Bull look to be in a good position so far. Subs only: https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/the-times-that-put-red-bull-league-of-its-own-in-bahrain/9110765/
In yesterday's FP2 session, it was Max Verstappen who set the pace for Red Bull - continuing his testing form - just shading the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc. Will we see a similar trend today, or has anybody been holding something up their sleeve?
We're just under 15 minutes away from the start of FP3, the final opportunity for teams to tweak their set-ups before qualifying at 15:00 GMT.
Good morning and welcome to Autosport's live coverage of Saturday's action at the Bahrain International Circuit. Have you heard? Formula 1 2022 is go!

By: autosport.com

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