EL1 – Verstappen at the top, Alpine lagging behind

That's it ! There Formula 1 is officially back! This Friday, March 26, the drivers took to the track once again in Bahrain for the first time this season.

On the menu for this first outing of the day is a free practice session lasting 60 minutes and no longer 90. Logically, the drivers did not hesitate to ride in order to get their bearings for the first Grand Prix of the 'year.

At the end of this first hour of driving, it is Max Verstappen who was the fastest. In good shape, the pilot Red Bull completed his best lap in 1’31”394, almost 3 tenths faster than Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes). Third, Lando Norris (McLaren) was relegated to more than half a second from the lead.

Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) finished its first session of the weekend in a correct 4th place, just ahead Charles Leclerc (Ferrari). Nice attempts for Pierre Gasly (Alpha Tauri) seventh, eight tenths behind his former teammate Max Verstappen.

Carlos Sainz (Ferrari), Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren) and Antonio Giovinazzi (Alfa Romeo) completed the Top 10 of these EL1s. Aston Martin for his part was discreet with Sebastian Vettel et Lance stroll 12th and 13th respectively.

Difficult session also for Alpine. Not really in top form, the French team finished these opening tests in 15th and 16th positions with Esteban Ocon before Fernando Alonso.

George Russell (Williams), Nicholas latifi (Williams), Mick Schumacher (Haas) and Nikita mazepin (Haas) bring up the rear.

The second free practice session will begin at 16:00 p.m. (French time) again for a duration of one hour.