The Telegraph
Max Verstappen completes Bahrain GP practice double as pack tightens
A fractured camp and ‘grumpy’ with Mercedes – this could be the start of Lewis Hamilton’s last lap F1 needs a Max Verstappen title charge to prevent another Lewis Hamilton procession Max Verstappen raised the possibility of a fascinating championship duel with Lewis Hamilton by completing a practice double in Bahrain yesterday, but admitted it will count for little unless Red Bull can convert their promise in qualifying this afternoon. As Formula One roared back into life here in the Gulf Kingdom, Verstappen delivered on his team’s encouraging pre-season form to end both of Friday’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, 0.235 seconds behind. Lando Norris split Verstappen and Hamilton finishing second, and within one tenth of the Red Bull driver, on an impressive evening for the Briton and his resurgent McLaren team. On the eve of the new campaign, Hamilton said his all-conquering Mercedes team were no longer the fastest on the grid. And judging on the evidence of the opening day of the new campaign, it certainly appears as though Hamilton will not have it all his own way as he bids to move clear of Michael Schumacher with an unprecedented eighth world title. “It is looking better than in testing, but it is not perfect,” said Hamilton. “We are working as hard as we can but we still have a hill to climb. “We are staying positive. 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.” F1 2021 team-by-team guide: driver line-up, hopes, expectations and realities for the new season Bahrain Grand Prix 2021: What time does the race start, how to watch and what are the odds? Mercedes have dominated the sport, winning the past seven drivers’ and constructors’ championships, but there is now 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 posted the fastest time of the winter test before going on to finish top of the charts in both outings on Friday. “It’s been a positive day, but now we have to show what we can do in qualifying,” concluded Verstappen. 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 campaign with Norris just 0.095 sec adrift of Verstappen. Ferrari’s new signing Carlos Sainz was fourth ahead of Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas, with Daniel Ricciardo 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 spot ahead of Fernando Alonso. Double world champion Alonso, 39, has ended a two-year hiatus to make his comeback with the rebranded Alpine team. Elsewhere, Kimi Raikkonen lost control of his Alfa Romeo through Turn 3 to collide with the barriers before limping back to the pits, while on his debut, Mick Schumacher, the son-of seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, finished 18th, 2.45 sec off the pace. Second practice, classification Max Verstappen, Red Bull 1:30.847 Lando Norris, McLaren +0.095 Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes +0.235 Carlos Sainz, Ferrari +0.280 Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes +0.371 Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren +0.383 Yuki Tsunoda, AlphaTauri +0.447 Lance Stroll, Aston Martin +0.546 Pierre Gasly, AlphaTauri +0.636 Sergio Pérez, Red Bull +0.656 Esteban Ocon, Alpine +0.754 Charles Leclerc, Ferrari +0.765 Antonio Giovinazzi, Alfa Romeo +0.893 Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin +0.922 Fernando Alonso, Alpine +0.923 Kimi Raikkonen, Alfa Romeo +1.015 George Russell, Williams +1.484 Mick Schumacher, Haas +2.450 Nicholas Latifi, Williams +2.553 Nikita Mazepin, Haas +2.602
