Lando Norris (GBR) McLaren MCL60.
Lando Norris (GBR) McLaren MCL60.

What happened in Friday practice at the F1 2023 Bahrain GP

F1 2023 starts today with Friday practice for the Bahrain Grand Prix. 

Follow all the action from Bahrain, including the latest paddock reaction, here with Crash.net. 

03 Mar 2023
14:40
All eyes on Aston Martin

Fernando Alonso (ESP) Aston Martin F1 Team AMR23. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain,
Fernando Alonso (ESP) Aston Martin F1 Team AMR23. Formula 1 World…

14:38
The team to beat

Sergio Perez (MEX) Red Bull Racing RB19. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice
Sergio Perez (MEX) Red Bull Racing RB19. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd…

14:30
30 minutes until FP2

We're building up to second practice which gets underway at 3pm UK time.

12:33
FP1 results

The full order and lap times following first practice in Bahrain

Oscar Piastri (AUS) McLaren MCL60. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice
Oscar Piastri (AUS) McLaren MCL60. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1,…

12:30
Chequered flag

Perez on top ahead of Alonso, Verstappen, Norris and Leclerc.

12:25
Five laps to go

Perez, Alonso, Verstappen, Norris, Leclerc, Stroll, Magnussen, Zhou and Hamilton.

12:24
Stroll into sixth

The Canadian is 1.5s off the pace, but not a bad lap considering he missed all of testing.

12:20
10 minutes to go

Alexander Albon (THA) Williams Racing FW45. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain,
Alexander Albon (THA) Williams Racing FW45. Formula 1 World Championship,…

12:19
Alonso goes P2

Hype, hype, hype!

Alonso is only 0.4s off in second.

12:17
Current order

Perez, Verstappen, Norris, Leclerc, Zhou, Bottas, Alonso, Piastri, Hamilton and Tsunoda.

12:11
Norris goes into third

A solid lap form Norris given McLaren's testing struggles - 1.4s off Perez.

12:09
Big spin for Sainz

A scary moment for Sainz into Turn 9 but he keeps it out of the barrier.

12:05
Bottas up to third!

Making use of the softs, the Finn goes third-fastest, 1.9s off Perez's impressive benchmark.

12:04
Good news for Stroll

He's back out there after an ignition issue kept him in the garage.

12:00
Order with 30 minutes to go

Perez, Verstappen, Alonso, Piastri, Hamilton, Magnussen, Gasly, Hulkenberg, Leclerc and Russell.

12:00
Perez improves on the softs

A big improvement from the Mexican as he sets a 1m32.758s, 0.6s ahead of Verstappen - both on the softs.

11:59
11:58
Soft tyre runs

Perez, Verstappen and Gasly are now out there on the softs. Expect some quick times.

Sergio Perez (MEX) Red Bull Racing RB19. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice
Sergio Perez (MEX) Red Bull Racing RB19. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd…

11:56
Bad news for Stroll

An ignition issue for the Aston Martin means he's completed just two laps on his return.

11:55
Hamilton improves again

He cuts the gap to Perez down to 0.6s.

11:51
Track action

Charles Leclerc (MON) Ferrari SF-23. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice
Charles Leclerc (MON) Ferrari SF-23. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1,…

11:48
Hamilton moves up

The seven-time champion breaks into the top three with a 1m35.164s, 0.8s off Perez.

11:47
Magnussen goes third

A tidy lap from the Dane to slot into third on the softs, a second shy of Perez.

11:46
Current order

Perez, Alonso, Verstappen, Hamilton, Gasly, Leclerc, Russell, Sargeant. Sainz, Albon and Piastri.

Oscar Piastri (AUS) McLaren MCL60. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice
Oscar Piastri (AUS) McLaren MCL60. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1,…

11:45
Russell's first time

Russell goes sixth for Mercedes with a 1m36.083s. The early running is being done on the yellow-marked mediums.

He's 0.6s off Hamilton at this early stage.

Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter

Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox