The first day of free practice of the Bahrain GP at the Sakhir circuit - where Formula 1 carried out the official tests - said that, if the first impressions are confirmed by Sunday's race, Red Bull, the world champion team, is still the car to beat. But also that, in addition to Ferrari and Mercedes, there could be a further variable in the title race: Aston Martin, in particular the one entrusted to Fernando Alonso this year. Red Bull and Aston Martin monopolized Friday.
In free practice 1, the former set the best time (1'32"758) with Sergio Perez. Second was Alonso, 438 thousandths behind, ahead of Max Verstappen (+0.617). The trio exchanged positions in free practice 2, plus convincing because they took place at the same time as the grand prix: Alonso was the fastest (1'30"907), Verstappen trailing by 169 thousandths, then Perez by 171. The Ferraris weren't idle, but they didn't particularly shine either . In both sessions the best was Charles Leclerc, fifth in the first (+1"499, time obtained with the yellow tyre, less performing than the red used by those who preceded him) and fourth in the second (+0.460). Carlos is late Sainz, who went from 20th to 14th position and ran into a spin without consequences.
Both started the second session on soft tires to take advantage of the track conditions which will be similar to tomorrow's qualifying. Interlocutory day for Mercedes (which powers the Aston Martin): in free practice 1 Lewis Hamilton tenth (+2"159) and George Russell 11th (+2"208); in free practice 2 Hamilton eighth (+0.636) and Russell 13th (+0.975). At the moment the best news for the Anglo-German team is that Hamilton has been allowed to drive with nose piercings during race weekends. The FIA stewards heard from a Mercedes representative and received a report from the team doctor who asked for an exemption from the ban on wearing metal objects in the cockpit, which was granted.
As for the track, "we discovered we were very far" from Red Bull, the seven-time world champion hissed. “We have certainly taken another step in the right direction. The sensations I get from the car are good - commented the Spanish double world champion - even if something needs to be improved in the set-up. But we are still in an approach phase to the race. Let's wait to see what happens» when the traffic lights on the starting line go out. And most importantly, where will Aston Martin be at that moment. In the meantime, she is a candidate to be a protagonist of the first GP. Good return after three years of absence from F1 for Nico Hülkenberg. The German of the Hass, powered by the Ferrari engine, obtained the fifth fastest time in free practice 2, 469 thousandths behind Alonso.
Tomorrow the third free practice session is scheduled at 14.30 (12.30 Italian time), with qualifying at 18 (16 Italian time).
