AfriPulse
Fernando Alonso 0.005s ahead of Max Verstappen in final practice, Lewis Hamilton just two tenths back for Mercedes; Watch first qualifying of the season live at 3pm on Sky Sports F1, with build-up from 2.10pm
By Matt Morlidge in Bahrain
Last Updated: 04/03/23 4:19pm
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
After setting the pace in P2, Fernando Alonso once again went fastest in his Aston Martin during final practice ahead of qualifying in Bahrain.
After setting the pace in P2, Fernando Alonso once again went fastest in his Aston Martin during final practice ahead of qualifying in Bahrain.
Fernando Alonso edged out Max Verstappen in final practice for the Bahrain Grand Prix to set up a thrilling and unpredictable first battle for pole position of the season, which may also involve Mercedes.
Alonso, backing up his stunning form from Friday evening, topped Verstappen’s best time on the soft tyres by five thousandths of a second towards the end of the hour-long session in the baking Sakhir heat.
Sergio Perez was a tenth back in the other Red Bull, just ahead of a much-improved Mercedes.
Bahrain GP schedule on Sky Sports F1Experience live F1 races onboard with any driver in 2023Stream the biggest moments on NOWGet Sky SportsLewis Hamilton had earlier led practice and finished fourth, just two-tenths off Alonso’s marker.
Charles Leclerc was fifth in the lead Ferrari ahead of George Russell in the other Mercedes, hinting at an epic four-team battle for the front positions in qualifying, which starts at 3pm live on Sky Sports F1.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Anthony Davidson was at the SkyPad to assess Fernando Alonso’s fastest lap during final practice. Anthony Davidson was at the SkyPad to assess Fernando Alonso’s fastest lap during final practice.
“This is just absolutely thrilling,” said Sky Sports F1’s Nico Rosberg.
“Fernando Alonso, 41 years old in an Aston Martin that was just nowhere last year… and suddenly they’re fighting right up there.
“Everyone was going for it in that session. This is going to be so interesting in qualifying.
“Max did make a bit of a mistake at the last corner. But that gap, is just nothing.”
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Lewis Hamilton was left frustrated as Mercedes failed to provide him with a chance to practice his race start for the second time this weekend. Lewis Hamilton was left frustrated as Mercedes failed to provide him with a chance to practice his race start for the second time this weekend.
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll were next, while F1’s new ‘best of the rest’ position – ninth – was filled by the McLaren of rookie driver Oscar Piastri, four places ahead of team-mate Lando Norris.
The Alpines sandwiched the McLarens, along with Alfa Romeo’s Zhou Guanyu, while the Haas cars fell well out of the top-10 after shooting up into fifth in Friday’s second practice.
Nyck de Vries was last for AlphaTauri before the opening qualifying session of F1 2023, which will set the grid for Sunday’s race.
Bahrain GP Practice Three Timesheet Driver Team Time 1) Fernando Alonso Aston Martin 1:32.340 2) Max Verstappen Red Bull +0.005 3) Sergio Perez Red Bull +0.106 4) Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +0.215 5) Charles Leclerc Ferrari +0.284 6) George Russell Mercedes +0.391 7) Lance Stroll Aston Martin +0.579 8) Carlos Sainz Ferrari +0.605 9) Oscar Piastri McLaren +0.705 10) Pierre Gasly Alpine +0.724 11) Esteban Ocon Alpine +0.776 12) Zhou Guanyu Alfa Romeo +0.840 13) Lando Norris McLaren +0.862 14) Kevin Magnussen Haas +1.041 15) Nico Hulkenberg Haas +1.083 16) Yuki Tsunoda AlphaTauri +1.135 17) Valtteri Bottas Alfa Romeo +1.289 18) Logan Sargeant Williams +1.325 19) Alex Albon Williams +1.542 20) Nyck de Vries AlphaTauri +1.742 Formula 1 is back! Watch the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix live on Sky Sports F1 this weekend. Sunday’s race begins at 3pm, with build-up from 1.30pm. Get Sky Sports
Source: Sky Sports | Read More
