Lewis Hamilton set the best time. © APA/afp / GIUSEPPE CACACE

Mercedes duo impressed in Bahrain, Verstappen back

At the Formula 1 season opener in Bahrain, record world champion Lewis Hamilton and his Mercedes teammate George Russell impressed with the best times on Thursday.

29. February 2024

From: apa

The Silver Arrows dominated the second practice session for the Bahrain Grand Prix on Saturday (16.00 p.m. CET). Hamilton was just faster in Sakhir in 1:30,374 minutes than Russell (+0,206) and Aston Martin veteran Fernando Alonso (+0,286). World champion Max Verstappen (+0,477) only finished sixth.

The Red Bull driver from the Netherlands apparently didn't get going yet on the desert circuit during his first hunt for best times, but Verstappen was convincing in the so-called long runs (racing simulations, editor's note). His Mexican teammate Sergio Perez finished tenth (+0,741). The two Ferraris weren't at the front either. Carlos Sainz drove the fourth best time (+0,395), Charles Leclerc was in ninth place (+0,739). The first showdown promised excitement for qualifying on Friday (17.00 p.m.), where the teams will reveal their cards.

Verstappen dissatisfied

In the first training session, Racing Bulls driver Daniel Ricciardo somewhat surprisingly set the fastest time. However, the Australian drove with the softest tire compound, unlike Verstappen, who also finished sixth. Nevertheless, the World Cup dominator of the past two years was anything but satisfied. “Everything is shit, miles away,” Verstappen had radioed to the pits and complained about coordination problems with braking and shifting.

Max Verstappen had problems. © ANSA / ALI HAIDER

Formula 1 is starting its record season with 24 races in the Persian Gulf. The opener in Bahrain will take place on Saturday, as the second race in Saudi Arabia was postponed by one day due to the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan (from March 10th) and the F1 rules require a break of at least a week between two races prescribe. Verstappen is aiming for his fourth world championship title in a row this year, the Austro racing team Red Bull wants to build on its most recent season with 21 wins from 22 races. For the first time in the history of Formula 1, there were no changes among the drivers compared to the previous season.