The program for the 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix

That's it, the Formula 1 is back ! And it is the Bahrain Grand Prix which will be the scene of the first round of the 2023 season, after more than three months without the presence of the premier category on Sunday. Max Verstappen puts his world champion title back on the line, after dominating a 2022 campaign where the Dutchman was crowned at the meeting in Suzuka (Japan).

After a technical revolution introduced last year, the time has come for developments. The teams and drivers have not moved from the Bahraini paddock, after only three days of pre-season testing last week. It's impossible to determine the precise trajectory this season will take, but the RB19 seems to stand out from the crowd. Ferrari continues its momentum, despite tire degradation which still seems difficult to anticipate, and Mercedes got rid of the porpoising that slowed down its performance from the start of the 2022 financial year. Behind, Alpine will have to be wary of a team which worries the entire grid, as its progress is spectacular: Aston Martin.

The other five garages in the paddock seem to fit together in a pocket handkerchief, even if McLaren suffered a lot last week. Repeated brake problems kept the drivers stuck in the pit lane, with the papayas having completed the fewest laps over these three days. Alfa Romeo also had to deal with a capricious gearbox, depriving Bottas et Zhou precious minutes of training.

This inaugural meeting will also be an opportunity to see certain drivers in their new colors... and to welcome three rookies to the category. After an eventful off-season, Oscar piastri seat at McLaren alongside Lando Norris instead of Daniel Ricciardo, Logan sargeant replaces the dismissed Nicholas latifi in Williams et Nyck de Vries sits in his seat Alpha Tauri thanks to a Pierre Gasly leaving for Alpine. The French duo will make their track debut after discreet winter testing, but the newcomer to the team has a sword of Damocles hanging over his head: his 10 penalty points. At the next misstep, Gasly will be suspended for one round. On the Aston Martin side, it's a Fernando Alonso with the knife between his teeth who will glean points with his teammate… whose name is not yet known. A minor bicycle accident saw Lance stroll withdraw from the pre-season tests, and the British team has not yet ruled on the Canadian's ability to return to the track this weekend. In the event of further unavailability, Felipe Drugovich will be at the wheel of the AMR23.

This inaugural GP will be punctuated by a classic calendar, with two free practice sessions on Friday March 3 (12:30 p.m. French time for EL1, 16 p.m. French time for EL2), and the third session on Saturday (12:30 p.m.). Saturday qualifying will kick off at 16 p.m., and the first lights of the season will also go out at 16 p.m. for the race on Sunday March 5.

The program for the 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix

Friday March 3: 

Free Practice 1: 12:30 a.m. – 13:30 a.m.

Free Practice 2: 16 p.m. – 17 p.m.

Saturday March 4: 

Free Practice 3: 12:30 a.m. – 13:30 a.m.

Qualifications: 16 p.m. – 17 p.m.

Sunday March 5: 

Race: 16 p.m.

This weekend will also be synonymous with recovery for the Formula 2 and Formula 3. The three levels of the pyramid of car will find themselves on the same circuit. The Formula 2 race will begin on Sunday March 5 at 11:20 a.m., while Formula 3 participants will start at 9:50 a.m.

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