Summary

  • Verstappen beats Hamilton to Bahrain pole, Bottas 3rd

  • Perez out in Q2, Vettel out in Q1, Verstappen fastest in final practice

  • Get involved #bbcf1

Live Reporting

Michael Emons

  1. Out Perez. Not the Red Bull debut he or the team were hoping for.

  2. Out Giovinazzi.

  3. Tsunoda was a star in Q1, could be out in Q2.

  4. Lots of drivers are improving. Sergio Perez, on the mediums, may be in trouble.

  5. In the bottom five with three minutes to go - Giovinazzi, Raikkonen, Russell, Ricciardo, Perez.

  6. Jolyon Palmer
    Former Renault driver on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

    Nothing to lose now for George Russell. If he beats any of these guys he's done well.

  7. Only the top three of Hamilton, Verstappen and Bottas will be feeling safe. Just over four minutes to go in Q2.

  8. Get Involved

    #bbcf1

    Jon Duffin: George Russell was a tenth off Bottas' in Q1... How much longer do we have to see a driver that talented be wasted.

    Azrael: Here's hoping for a season that isn't just a Mercedes procession like in previous seasons. Some genuine competition would be good.

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  10. Jolyon Palmer
    Former Renault driver on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

    Fastest first sector of anyone for Pierre Gasly in the Alpha Tauri. He's really coming on strong on the medium tyres.

    (Gasly then lost some time in the rest of his lap and is down in eighth.)

  11. Daniel Ricciardo and Sergio Perez have a lap deleted for exceeding track limits. They've got eight minutes to get a time on the board.

  12. Hamilton, Verstappen and Bottas are the top three and they should be heading into the showdown for pole.

  13. 'Mazepin jumped the queue'

    Jolyon Palmer
    Former Renault driver on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

    Nikita Mazepin has embarrassed himself by going past these champions. Everyone is trying to achieve the same goal at the end of these qualifying sessions. All it is getting a clean lap in and everyone respects each other.

    There is nothing in the rules to say you can't do what he did but if everyone just waits their turn, then everyone gets a chance and is happy.

    Effectively, Mazepin has come in, on his first race, and jumped the queue.

  14. Get Involved

    #bbcf1

    Josh Earl: I was thinking Mazespin was a harsh nickname so early, but I think it might stick at this rate..

  15. It's the same rule as last year where if you finish in the top 10 in Q2, you start the race on the tyres that you set your quickest time in this session.

    The Ferraris, the Alfa Romeos and the Aston Martin of Stroll are on the softs, as is the Williams of Russell. The others on the mediums.

  16. Here's Q2. We've already had a few minutes of the 15 allowed. The top 10 move into Q3.

  17. Get Involved

    #bbcf1

    Mark: I think the Mercedes have a surprise up their sleeves for Q3.

    Inkballer: Track evolution will be playing a big part in this. Last Q3 run will be more important than ever.

    Si Smith: Vettel down playing with the rookies!

  18. 'Oh no, Nikita'

    Jolyon Palmer
    Former Renault driver on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

    Oh no! Nikita Mazepin has broken the gentleman's code of wait your turn and everyone gets a lap.

    He's gone past all the champions into the final corner and then he's got down to that final corner and spun... causing them not to be able to go fast!

    That's a shocker!

  19. Into Q2

    1. Verstappen (Red Bull)
    2. Tsunoda (Alpha Tauri)
    3. Hamilton (Mercedes)
    4. Leclerc (Ferrari)
    5. Ricciardo (McLaren)
    6. Gasly (Alpha Tauri)
    7. Alonso (Alpine)
    8. Norris (McLaren)
    9. Giovinazzi (Alfa Romeo)
    10. Perez (Red Bull)
    11. Bottas (Mercedes)
    12. Stroll (Aston Martin)
    13. Russell (Williams)
    14. Raikkonen (Alfa Romeo)
    15. Sainz (Ferrari)

    Great efforts from Verstappen, Tsunoda, Leclerc, Alonso and Russell.

  20. Out in Q1

    • 16th - Esteban Ocon (Alpine)
    • 17th - Nicholas Latifi (Williams)
    • 18th - Sebastian Vettel (Aston Martin)
    • 19th - Mick Schumacher (Haas)
    • 20th - Nikita Mazepin (Haas)