Max quickest in opening practice Bahrain GP

Published on 26 March 2021 by Stefan Meens

Max Verstappen clocked the fastest lap of the opening practice session of the Bahrain Grand Prix, the first of 23 rounds of the 2021 Formula 1 World Championship. At the Bahrain International Circuit, Valtteri Bottas was second quickest in his Mercedes, with Lando Norris (McLaren) completing the top three.

This year the three free practice sessions are all an hour long, meaning the teams and drivers are not wasting any time in the pits. F1 veteran and two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso is the first driver out on track in his Alpine. Most drivers follow the Spaniard’s example and head out for an installation lap.

At Red Bull Racing, Sergio Perez is the first of the bulls out on track. A couple of minutes later, Max joins his Mexican teammate before claiming top spot with his first timed lap.

In the opening stages, Mercedes and Red Bull occupy the first four spots on the timing sheets in an ever-changing order. At the halfway mark, it is Lewis Hamilton leading the field, but in the second part of FP1, other teams vie to set the quickest lap.

Initially, Lando Norris goes fastest, with McLaren teammate Daniel Ricciardo setting the third fastest time and Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) edging to the front as well.

However, in the closing stages, Max bolts on a fresh set of the soft Pirelli tyres. Two purple sectors, followed by a green final sector, propel the Dutchman back to the top of standings, where he remains for the final few minutes of the first practice session of the Grand Prix weekend.

Contest GP Bahrain: win a by Max signed Red Bull Racing driver cap!

Results first free practice Bahrain: