Verstappen fastest in practice to pose threat to Mercedes reign
Max Verstappen raised the possibility of a fascinating championship duel with Lewis Hamilton by completing a practice double in Bahrain, but admitted it would count for little unless Red Bull converted their promise in qualifying.
Verstappen delivered on his team’s encouraging pre-season form to end both of yesterday’s sessions at the top of the time charts.
Hamilton, who galloped to his record-equalling seventh world title with three rounds to spare last year, was third, 0.235sec behind.
Lando Norris split Verstappen and Hamilton, finishing within 0.1sec of the Red Bull driver, in an impressive start for the Briton and his resurgent Mclaren team.
On the evidence of the opening day of the new campaign, it looks as though Hamilton will be unlikely to have everything his own way as he attempts to move clear of Michael Schumacher’s record with an unprecedented eighth world drivers’ title.
“It is looking better than in testing, but it is not perfect,” Hamilton said. “We are working as hard as we can, but we still have a hill to climb.
“We thought Red Bull would be as fast as they are, if not faster. They are leading at the moment and Mclaren are looking great, too.”
Mercedes have dominated the sport, winning the past seven drivers’ and constructors’ championships, but there is a growing feeling that the chasing pack have managed to close the gap.
Indeed, 15 of the 20 drivers were covered by less than one second.
Red Bull have been slow out of the gates in recent years, but Verstappen had also posted the fastest time in winter testing. “It’s been a positive day, but now we have to show what we can do in qualifying,” Verstappen said.
Mclaren finished third in last year’s constructor standings – their best result since Hamilton left the
British team at the end of 2012 – and, now powered by Mercedes, they followed up an encouraging pre-season with Norris just 0.095sec adrift of Verstappen.
Ferrari’s new signing, Carlos Sainz, was fourth, ahead of Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas, while Daniel Ricciardo was sixth following his switch from Renault to Mclaren.
Sebastian Vettel finished 14th for Aston Martin – the British team back in F1 for the first time in six decades – one place ahead of Fernando Alonso. Double world champion Alonso, 39, is making a comeback with the rebranded Alpine team.
Kimi Raikkonen lost control of his Alfa Romeo through turn three to collide with the barriers before limping back to the pits while, on his debut, Mick Schumacher, son of Michael, finished 18th for Haas, 2.45sec off the pace.