HOW DID THE ROOKIES DO?

The performances of Formula 1’s three rookies in Bahrain largely followed the anticipated form book.

Yuki Tsunoda showcased the adaptability and penchant for rapid learning that has so enthused Helmut Marko by superbly lapping second fastest in Q1, just a tenth behind Max Verstappen.

But he then discovered a “strange” feeling on Pirelli’s C3 compound medium tyre, failing to progress to Q3 while Alphatauri team-mate Pierre Gasly was eighth fastest in Q2 (on the same tyre) then fifth overall. Tsunoda was pleased to finish ninth after a lastgasp lunge on Lance Stroll, but also disappointed with ground lost on lap one, and the time it took to recover.

Nevertheless, Gasly was impressed with Tsunoda: “So far a couple of mistakes here and there but when he managed to put things together, he’s really fast”.

And then there was the Haas pairing of Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin. It was an inauspicious start to life in F1 for Michael’s son, who was “95% happy” with qualifying four tenths adrift of Sebastian Vettel’s Aston. Schumacher spun at the exit of Turn 4 early in the race and finished last of the cars still running at the end, but at least banked a race distance to learn from.

Team-mate Mazepin returned to Bahrain in a “happy place” after testing, but endured a torrid debut – spinning off the track multiple times in practice and qualifying, then crashing out on lap one with a true rookie error: “My tyres were cold, and I got on the kerb and took too much throttle and spun. Totally my mistake”. Surely the only way is up from here…