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Formula 1 Bahrain GP

F1 Bahrain GP Live Commentary and Updates - Race

Minute-by-minute updates for the 2024 Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix

Sparks fly from Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20

The opening race of the 2024 F1 season is here, as Max Verstappen starts from pole position at the Bahrain GP.

Red Bull comes into the new campaign as heavy favourites, but can any of its rivals take the fight to Verstappen in the opener?

Charles Leclerc starts alongside Verstappen on the front row, with Mercedes’ George Russell third and the sister Ferrari of Carlos Sainz fourth. Sergio Perez will be looking to climb the order for Red Bull from fifth.

The Bahrain GP gets under way at 3pm GMT.

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The 20 drivers for the 2024 F1 season. Here we go.

The 2024 Formula 1 grid Top row: Kevin Magnussen, Haas F1 Team, Nico Hulkenberg, Haas F1 Team, Daniel Ricciardo, Visa Cash App RB F1 Team, Yuki Tsunoda, Visa Cash App RB F1 Team, Esteban Ocon, Alpine F1 Team, Pierre Gasly, Alpine F1 Team, Logan Sargeant, Williams Racing, Alex Albon, Williams Racing, Zhou Guanyu, Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber, Valtteri Bottas, Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber Bottom row: Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin F1 Team, Lance Stroll, Aston Martin F1 Team, Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari, Carlos Sainz, Scuderia Ferrari, Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-AMG F1 Team, George Russell, Mercedes-AMG F1 Team, Oscar Piastri, McLaren F1 Team, Lando Norris, McLaren F1 Team

The 2024 Formula 1 grid Top row: Kevin Magnussen, Haas F1 Team, Nico Hulkenberg, Haas F1 Team, Daniel Ricciardo, Visa Cash App RB F1 Team, Yuki Tsunoda, Visa Cash App RB F1 Team, Esteban Ocon, Alpine F1 Team, Pierre Gasly, Alpine F1 Team, Logan Sargeant, Williams Racing, Alex Albon, Williams Racing, Zhou Guanyu, Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber, Valtteri Bottas, Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber Bottom row: Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin F1 Team, Lance Stroll, Aston Martin F1 Team, Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari, Carlos Sainz, Scuderia Ferrari, Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-AMG F1 Team, George Russell, Mercedes-AMG F1 Team, Oscar Piastri, McLaren F1 Team, Lando Norris, McLaren F1 Team

Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images

With that the drivers are off to their cars to make their final pre-race preparations. We're 10 minutes away from lights out.

Anthem time. It is a cheery number for Bahrain played by a full marching band, followed by a Gulf Air flypast. 6/10 good, but needs some freshening up.

Back to the on-track action, all 20 drivers have made it to the starting grid and as usual it is jam-packed with activity and celebs. From Neymar to Jeremy Clarkson, they let all sorts in here.
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In what appears to be a show of unity, Horner's wife Geri has turned up in the paddock for the first time this weekend.
Christian Horner, Team Principal, Red Bull Racing & Geri Halliwell

Christian Horner, Team Principal, Red Bull Racing & Geri Halliwell

Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images

Off the track the biggest talking point has been the saga with Red Bull boss Horner at the centre. On Wednesday he was cleared of wrongdoing in an investigation into inappropriate behaviour by the team's parent company, but 24 hours later an alleged leak occurred of what was called key evidence from the investigation. Horner has repeatedly dismissed accusations and looked to move on, but the matter has grabbed attention all over the world.
And to complete the set, Hamilton has a near-identical lock-up at Turn 10. There appears to be a crosswind blowing at that corner which could be the cause. It'll be one to watch during the race.
During the laps to the grid, Norris has been caught locking up coming into the pitlane and again at Turn 10, while Ricciardo has done the same at Turn 10 in a separate incident. Both avoid a disaster, but it is not ideal preparation.
Can anyone upset the odds? Leclerc has the best chance as he starts on the front row next to Verstappen and Ferrari's gains over the winter have been decent with its tyre management over a race stint. But whether it is enough to put up a fight against Red Bull is a tough ask today.
Here's what to expect this afternoon: A 57-lap dash around the Bahrain track and the first one home is the winner. Everyone, and it really is everyone, expects that first one home to be Verstappen given his ultra impressive race pace during testing and practice. The defending world champion starts from pole, too.
Lights green
The green light is displayed at the pit exit and the cars are on their way to the first grid of 2024. Ahead of us is 24 races, plus six sprints, in F1's longest-ever season. So get comfortable because we've got a marathon campaign ahead.
That's right, an F1 grand prix on a Saturday. It still feels weird even if, technically, there was one just a few months back with the Las Vegas GP.
Green flag
Good afternoon one and all! How are we this fine Saturday?

By: Autosport Staff

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