Get involved - #bbcf1published at 15:26 British Summer Time 18 April 2015
Just the usual request for your predictions ahead of qualifying please.
You can get in touch on this or any subject via #bbcf1.
Summary
Hamilton on pole, Vettel 2nd, Rosberg 3rd, Raikkonen 4th
Hamilton dominant in Q1 & Q2
Alonso through to Q2 for first time this season
Button breaks down in Q1, will start last
Get involved - #bbcf1published at 15:26 British Summer Time 18 April 2015
Remembering Jochen Rindtpublished at 15:22 British Summer Time 18 April 2015
Jochen Rindt, F1's only posthumous world champion, would have turned 73 today.
The Austrian raced for Cooper, Brabham and Lotus in a curtailed 60-race career that began with an outing in a Rob Walker-run privateer Brabham at his home race in 1964.
Image source, Getty ImagesHe won six races, five of those coming in his title-winning season with Lotus in 1970.
Rindt was killed, aged 28, in practice for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. Although four races remained in the season, no driver could overhaul Rindt's points total and he was crowned champion by five points from Jacky Ickx.
Hamilton aiming for back-to-back Bahrain winspublished at 15:19 British Summer Time 18 April 2015
While his pole record here ain't great, Hamilton is nevertheless bidding to become the fourth man to win back-to-back races in Bahrain this weekend.
Fernando Alonso was the first man to achieve the feat with victories for Renault in 2005 and 2006, with Felipe Massa (below) following suit for Ferrari in 2007 and 2008, and Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel doing likewise in 2012 and 2013.
Image source, Getty ImagesHamilton going for maiden Bahrain polepublished at 15:17 British Summer Time 18 April 2015
One of the talking points in China a week ago was Lewis Hamilton's achievement in earning a fifth pole position in Shanghai.
It's fair to say the Bahrain International Circuit has not been such a happy hunting ground for the Mercedes man, with zero poles from seven previous attempts.
Can he break his duck today?
Postpublished at 15:12 British Summer Time 18 April 2015
Ferrari on Twitter: #Seb5 watermelmet
Image source, Scuderia FerrariQuali too close to callpublished at 15:07 British Summer Time 18 April 2015
Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer
Image source, Getty Images"This could be the closest qualifying session of the year so far. Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes was fastest in final practice - but his margin over Sebastian Vettel's Ferrari was a scant 0.069 seconds.
"Mercedes always seem to find that bit extra in qualifying, but Vettel looks a serious contender for pole in Bahrain. And if he can challenge in qualifying, Mercedes will have serious concerns about what the Ferraris can do in the race on Sunday. Hold on to your hats."
Well that was a quick lunchpublished at 15:02 British Summer Time 18 April 2015
Covered in crumbs and doomed to indigestion, the BBC live text team is back with you.
Sixty minutes until qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix begins.
Mercedes or Ferrari on pole? Who's your money on?
Bye for nowpublished at 14:35 British Summer Time 18 April 2015
OK we're going to wrap up for half an hour now. Thanks for your company and contributions so far.
We'll be back with you at 15:00 BST for the build up to qualifying, which gets under way under the lights at 16:00 BST.
In the meantime, have a gander at Andrew Benson's FP3 report.
Best pictures from FP3published at 14:34 British Summer Time 18 April 2015
Image source, Getty ImagesBest pictures from FP3published at 14:32 British Summer Time 18 April 2015
Image source, Getty ImagesBest pictures from FP3published at 14:31 British Summer Time 18 April 2015
Image source, Clive MasonGet involved - extreme tyre management #bbcf1published at 14:29 British Summer Time 18 April 2015
Adrian Matthews: People seem to have forgotten how boring the Bridgestone races got. Pirelli are only doing what they've been asked to.
Mike Ellis: Honestly think Webber's wrong, actually more skillful to manage things than just drive fast!
Just Mick: Pirelli now get tyres right more often than not. I don't want 3 and 4 stops, but tyre strategies create battles throughout field.
Best pictures from FP3published at 14:27 British Summer Time 18 April 2015
Image source, Getty ImagesGet involved - caption competition, #bbcf1published at 14:19 British Summer Time 18 April 2015
Colm: The way she makes that sandwich, layer after layer... Each perfect. Can't wait for lunch lads, what about you Fernando?
3rd Baron Ballard: This is how you do the Dambusters flying goggles...
Alex Pettitt: So if you don't get the car working, I'll be ripping your pay cheque into tiny pieces just like this.
Paul: You know what this is? This is the smallest violin in the world playing just for you.
Image source, APPostpublished at 14:18 British Summer Time 18 April 2015
McLaren on Twitter: As FP3 came to a close Jenson Button set a 1:36.488 and finished P11.
Image source, McLarenPostpublished at 14:16 British Summer Time 18 April 2015
Williams on Twitter: Felipe has a quick chat with Frank as the session ends.
Image source, WilliamsLeading speed trap timespublished at 14:14 British Summer Time 18 April 2015
Image source, F1Postpublished at 14:14 British Summer Time 18 April 2015
Force India on Twitter: A good session for us with Nico in P9 (1:36.421) and Checo in P15 (1:36.727). Very close in the midfield!
FP3 times in full 11-20published at 14:11 British Summer Time 18 April 2015
FP3 times in full 1-10published at 14:10 British Summer Time 18 April 2015
