​Max Verstappen (RedBull) was fastest on the first day of testing in Bahrain, with the reigning world champion also completing the most laps. The surprise of Thursday was arranged by the veteran Fernando Alonso: he has the second time. Scuderia Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz Jr. completed the podium.

Single RedBull carPhoto: Jay Hirano / Alamy / Alamy / Profimedia

Max Verstappen fastest Thursday in Bahrain – Surprise of the day: Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso

The 2005 and 2006 world champion Fernando was very close to the reference time set by Verstappen.

Lewis Hamilton was only sixth, and at the end of Thursday said he did not realize how far the single-seater Mercedes was from fighting for the top of Formula One.

1 Max Verstappen Red Bull 1:32.837 157 laps

2. Fernando Alonso Aston Martin 1:32.866 / 60

3 Carlos Sainz Ferrari 1:33.253 / 72

4 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 1:33.267 / 64

5 Lando Norris McLaren 1:33.462 / 40

6 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1:33.508 / 83

7 Alex Albon Williams 1:33.671 / 74

8 Zhou Guanyu Alfa Romeo 1:33.723 / 67

9 George Russell Mercedes 1:34.174 / 69

10 Logan Sargeant Williams 1:34.324 / 75

11 Nico Hulkenberg Haas 1:34.424 / 51

12 Valtteri Bottas Alfa Romeo 1:34.558 / 71

13 Nick de Vries AlphaTauri 1:34.559 / 85

14 Felipe Drugovych Aston Martin 1:34.564 / 40

15 Yuki Tsunoda AlphaTauri 1:34.671 / 46

16 Pierre Gasly Alpine 1:34.822 / 60

17 Esteban Okon Alpine 1:34.871 / 53

18 Oscar Piastre McLaren 1:34.888 / 52

19 Kevin Magnussen Haas 1:35.087 / 54.

Know:

  • Tests in Bahrain will continue on Friday.

What the Formula 1 grid looks like in the 2023 season

Alfa Romeo F1 Team (engine – Ferrari) – Drivers: Zhou Guanyu, Valtteri Bottas Scuderia

AlphaTauri (Honda) – Nick de Vries, Yuki Tsunoda

Alpine (Renault) – Pierre Gasly, Esteban Ocon

Aston Martin (Mercedes) – Fernando Alonso, Lance Stroll

Scuderia Ferrari (Ferrari) – Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz Jr.

Haas (Ferrari) – Kevin Magnussen, Nico Hulkenberg

McLaren (Mercedes) – Lando Norris, Oscar Piastre

Mercedes (Mercedes) – Lewis Hamilton, George Russell

Red Bull (Honda) – Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez

Williams (Mercedes) – Logan Sargent, Alexander Albon.

Formula 1 season calendar for 2023

March 5: Bahrain / Sahir

March 19: Saudi Arabia / Jeddah

April 2: Australia / Melbourne

April 16: China / Shanghai

April 30: Azerbaijan / Baku

May 7: Miami

May 21: Emilia-Romagna / Imola

May 28: Monaco

June 4: Spain / Barcelona

June 18: Canada / Montreal

July 2: Austria / Spielberg

July 9: Great Britain / Silverstone

July 23: Hungary / Budapest

July 30: Belgium / Spa-Francorchamps

August 27: Netherlands / Zandvoort

September 3: Italy / Monza

September 17: Singapore / Marina Bay

September 24: Japan / Suzuka

October 8: Qatar / Losail

October 22: USA / Austin

October 29: Mexico / Mexico City

November 5: Brazil / Sao Paulo

November 18: Las Vegas

November 26: Abu Dhabi / Yas Marina.

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