The 2024 F1 season kicks off this weekend at the Bahrain International Circuit with Max Verstappen looking to defend his title.
Verstappen dominated last season with 19 victories in 22 races and already, many are tipping him and Red Bull to retain both titles with relative ease.
The battle behind Verstappen is likely to be close with Mercedes and Ferrari finding gains over the winter, while McLaren and Aston Martin are thought to be close behind in the pecking order.
There are various intriguing storylines off-track such as Lewis Hamilton's move to Ferrari and how that will impact his relationship with Mercedes, while Christian Horner has been cleared following an independent investigation into alleged misconduct.
Second practice in Bahrain gets underway at 3pm UK time. This should give us a clearer picture of which team is actually going to be challenging Red Bull this weekend.
In first practice, it was Daniel Ricciardo in the RB that led the way after going on the softs. Similarly, both McLarens were up there after running the red-marked tyre.
Ricciardo set the pace in FP1 for the 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix.
The first practice session of the year is done and dusted.
Ricciardo is quickest with a 1m32.869s. He's ahead of Norris, Piastri, Tsunoda, Alonso, Verstappen, Russell, Leclerc, Hamilton and Bottas.
We're not seeing too many improvements on the timesheets. In saying that though, Alonso has just moved up to fifth in the Aston Martin on the mediums.
Ricciardo, Norris, Piastri, Tsunoda, Verstappen, Russell, Leclerc, Hamilton, Bottas and Sainz.
A good lap from Ricciardo in the RB as he sets a 1m32.869s, less than a tenth ahead of Norris. Both drivers are on the softs.
Also on the soft tyre, Norris goes quickest for McLaren on a 1m32.901s, just over 0.2s clear of Piastri.
Making the most of the softer rubber, Piastri goes fastest of anyone with a 1m33.113s.
For reference, 1m32.758s was the fastest time during FP1 for the 2023 Bahrain GP by Perez.
Piastri has taken to the track on a set of softs now. Expect him to quickest as he's just set a purple sector two.
A yellow sector (is slower); green sector (personal best); purple sector (best of anyone).
"Still very bad downshifts and upshifts. Car is literally jumping."
Verstappen, Russell, Perez, Hamilton, Alonso, Leclerc, Sainz, Norris, Stroll and Ricciardo.
Just 1.1s separates the top 10 currently in Bahrain. There's just over 40 minutes on the clock.
The times continue to tumble as Russell goes ahead of Verstappen at the top of the timesheets.
A 1m33.749s for Russell - but Verstappen is on course to beat it looking at the timing screen.
Another strong lap from Hamilton in the W15 to slot right behind Verstappen. Again, the seven-time world champion is quickest in the final sector of the lap.
He's 0.025s off Verstappen currently - so a very positive start for Mercedes.
It's now a Red Bull 1-2 as Perez slots into second, less than a tenth off his teammate's top time.
Verstappen isn't too happy with the handling of his RB20 though judging by his latest radio message.
The reigning world champion wastes no time to take top spot now. A 1m33.900s for Verstappen putting him 0.644s ahead of Sainz.
Perez has just gone quickest in the first sector now so let's keep an eye on him.
It's been a while since we've seen that.n Hamilton tops the timesheets with a 1m34.630s, 0.034s ahead of Russell.
No sign of Verstappen just yet in terms of a lap time as he's just left the pit lane. Still very early days though with times over five seconds slower than the expected pole time on Friday.
Heading into the right-hander at Turn 4, after picking up some initial understeer, Leclerc has oversteer on the exit of the corner.
"I'm sure you will have realised by now the wind is very strong," Norris is told by McLaren - so that probably contributed to Leclerc's moment.
Hulkenberg!
He sets a 1m38.955s but that's quickly beaten by Haas teammate Magnussen - 1.024s separates the duo at this early stage.
The Sauber driver reports over team radio: "I have no brakes!".
Zhou is back in the pit lane as they look into that issue - not a great start for them.
15 of the 20 drivers are already out on track with everyone option for the yellow-marked medium tyre.
It's worth noting that FP1 is not a representative session given it takes place during the day, with qualifying and the race happening under the lights when the sun sets.
The first 60 minutes of running is underway in Bahrain with FP1.
Here we go then...
Drivers are starting to climb into their cars with the 2024 F1 season set to begin.
Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez are set to hit the track in a car which many inside the paddock believe could be even quicker than last year's dominant version.
Who could catch Red Bull? And how far clear could they go, on the first day of the 2024 season?
We are about to see Mercedes' F1 2024 car on track for the first time in an official session.
Toto Wolff is hoping that the W15 is a dramatic upgrade on the cars of the past two years.
