Lando Norris, McLaren MCL60, Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing RB19, followed by Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo C43, during a practice start
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How the F1 2023 competitive order is shaping up after Bahrain testing

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Three days of testing left little time for teams to iron out problems with their new mounts and learn more about their strong suits ahead of next week's opening round in Bahrain. And while the likely true order of car performance is seemingly close to the end of last season, there appears to be potential for significant revisions in the midfield

He seized the moment. Valtteri Bottas thrust his Alfa Romeo C43 down the inside of Sergio Perez’s Red Bull at Bahrain’s downhill, Turn 8 hairpin – the pair having gone three-wide with the Lando Norris-piloted McLaren MCL60 at the first corner just moments before.

Bottas’s bravery paid off. He was ahead, with the chequered flag almost in sight, and yet free to charge off after the leader: AlphaTauri racer Yuki Tsunoda.

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