Sergio Perez set the pace to start the F1 2023 season in Bahrain GP with Max Verstappen third behind Fernando Alonso.
In a session which doesn’t matter as much due to the qualifying and race taking place under floodlights, Red Bull’s Perez was fastest in FP1 of F1 Bahrain GP weekend with a 1m32.758s lap where teammate Verstappen (1m33.375s) stood third.
The two were separated by Aston Martin’s Alonso with a 1m33.196s lap. Even though they all set on the same soft compound, the times set from Red Bull were much earlier in the session than the Aston Martin car which also ran less fuel during their run.
McLaren’s Lando Norris was fourth in a better show from the team after an average pre-season testing. He also caused a yellow flag for a brief Turn 1 moment as Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc slotted in fifth after electing to set his best time on the medium tyres.
Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll was sixth as he went through the FP1 session despite the screws on his right wrist due to training incident. He also faced an ignition issue but it was quickly resolved by the mechanics to get him going.
Haas’ Kevin Magnussen was seventh from the Alfa Romeo pair of Zhou Ghaunui and Valtteri Bottas, where the Chinese driver had an issue in his cockpit which the team said they will resolve between the two sessions and will be cleared for FP2.
The Top 10 was rounded out by Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton, with teammate George Russell in 11th ahead of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda where all four set their best time on the medium tyres over the soft compound.
Piastri had a moment early in the session but managed to catch it well. Haas’ Nico Hulkenberg was 14th on the soft tyres, with Alpine’s Esteban Ocon in 15th, AlphaTauri’s Nyck de Vries 16th and Alpine’s Pierre Gasly 17th – all three on the medium tyres.
Williams’ Logan Sargeant was 18th on the hard tyre leading teammate Alexander Albon and Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz on the medium tyres. The Thai racer almost had an incident with a McLaren late in the session, while the Spaniard hit a bump and spun 360 degree.
Off-track, the jewellery saga continued into 2023 season with the driver scutineering summoning Hamilton for wearing a jewellery. Upon checking the medical record, the FIA stewards stated no further action and relieved the Brit of any penalty.
“The Stewards having heard from a team representative and receiving a medical report from the team doctor of Mercedes AMG-PETRONAS F1 Team, which requested an exemption,” stated the report. “The Stewards consulted the FIA Medical Delegate, who viewed the medical report, examined the driver and concurred with the opinion therein. We have determined to take no further action as there are concerns about disfigurement with frequent attempts at removal of the device.”
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