F1 LIVE | Long runs are underway as Alonso leads FP2
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The first Formula 1 session of 2023 is already over. After the first free practice, it is time for FP2, the most representative practice of the weekend due to the time of day. All the action on and around the track can be followed in our liveblog.
LIVE | Second free practice GP Bahrain 2023
Representative practice for qualifying and race
The first free practice session of the weekend gave the F1 teams a first impression of what they have to offer. However, the second Friday session will give a clearer picture of what the proportions are, as track conditions are representative of qualifying and the race.
Based on the winter test at the Bahrain International Circuit, Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez seem to be in the best position for Red Bull Racing, but the test also went without a hitch for Ferrari. However, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz still remained cautious in their expectations.
Lewis Hamilton and George Russell did not have a trouble-free winter test with Mercedes, who have been working hard on the balance of the W14 over the past week. How far the team has managed to fix the problems and whether it can keep up with the pace will be seen on Saturday and Sunday.
The Bahrain Grand Prix
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Formula 1 has been coming to Bahrain since 2004, hosting the first Middle Eastern Grand Prix that year. The race was initially held during the day, but has become an evening race since 2014. In 2014, an evening race was organised for the anniversary edition, but it was such a success that daytime racing was never repeated in Bahrain. In 2020, the country was called upon twice to host a race. Apart from the Bahrain GP, there was also the Sakhir Grand Prix, for which a different circuit layout was used. For this, the shorter, lightning-fast outside track was used, providing lap times of under a minute.
Verstappen may have 15 races to his name in 2022, but the Bahrain GP was not one of them. The reigning World Champion has never won the race and will be only too happy to change that. Together with Red Bull Racing, Verstappen hopes to kick off the season with a win and thus make a stronger start than the year before.
Lewis Hamilton still has the highest number of wins to his name in Bahrain. The Mercedes driver won five times at the Bahrain International Circuit, followed by Sebastian Vettel with four and Fernando Alonso with three wins. The latest race winner is Charles Leclerc, who made a strong impression in the opening race of the season in 2022.