Verstappen leads the first practice session of the Bahrain GP in Sepang ahead of Russell
The Dutch quadruple world champion Max Verstappen (Red Bull) set the best time this Friday, ahead of the Englishman George Russell (Mercedes), in the first free practice for the Bahrain Grand Prixwhich is disputed in the circuit of Sepangin Malaysia.
In his best lap, Verstappen covered the 5,543 meters of the Malaysian track in one minute, 37 seconds and 520 thousandths383 less than Russell and 783 ahead of Frenchman Isack Hadjar, the Dutchman’s Red Bull teammate, who set the third time; like the previous ones, with the soft tire.
Time table
Bahrain GP – Free Practice
1. Max Verstappen NED Red Bull 1:37.520
2. George Russell GBR Mercedes at 0.383
3. Isack Hadjar FRA Red Bull 0.783
4. Charles Leclerc MON Ferrari 0.847
5. Kimi Antonelli ITA Mercedes 1,060
6. Lewis Hamilton GBR Ferrari 1,070
7. Pierre Gasly FRA Alpine 1,195
8. Liam Lawson NZL Racing Bulls 1,586
9. Arvid Lindblad GBR Racing Bulls 1,677
10. Nico Hülkenberg GER Audi 1,691
11. Oscar Piastri AUS McLaren 1,756
12. Lando Norris GBR McLaren 1,773
13. Gabriel Bortoleto BRA Audi 2,028
14. Fernando Alonso ESP Aston Martin 2,163
15. Esteban Ocon FRA Haas 2,638
16. Oliver Bearman GBR Haas 2,791
17. Alexander Albon THA Williams 2,801
18. Lance Stroll CAN Aston Martin 2,893
19. Franco Colapinto ARG Alpine 3,011
20. Carlos Sainz ESP Williams 3,085
21. Valtteri Bottas FIN Cadillac 3,280
22. Sergio Pérez MEX Cadillac 3,300
The Spanish FFernando Alonso (Aston Martin) and Carlos Sainz (Williams) concluded fourteenth and twentiethrespectively, two seconds and 163 thousandths and three seconds and 85 thousandths behind Verstappen.
