Postpublished at 16:24 Greenwich Mean Time 5 March 2023
Lap 49 of 57
Lando Norris is coming into the pits... again! Fifth time for the McLaren man during this race.
Summary
Max Verstappen wins season opener in Bahrain, Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez P2
Fernando Alonso passes second Ferrari of Carlos Sainz to claim a brilliant third place on Aston Martin debut
Ferrari's Charles Leclerc retires from third on lap 41
McLaren's Oscar Piastri out of debut race with apparent electrical issue, Alpine's Esteban Ocon also retires after several time penalties
Get involved via #bbcf1
Use audio icon at top of the page to listen to BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra commentary
Postpublished at 16:24 Greenwich Mean Time 5 March 2023
Team radio - Alonsopublished at 16:23 Greenwich Mean Time 5 March 2023
Bye, bye!
Postpublished at 16:23 Greenwich Mean Time 5 March 2023
Lap 47 of 57
Fernando Alonso's number one mechanic enjoyed the attack mode the two-time world champion pulled out on Carlos Sainz.
Meanwhile, the Ferrari man is on the radio. "Why am I bouncing so much?" Sainz asks his pit wall.
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 16:22 Greenwich Mean Time 5 March 2023
#BBCF1
Rob Colley: It is 2023, the first race of F1 and Fernando Alonso is currently p3 in the race.
Image source, Getty ImagesTeam radio - Sainzpublished at 16:21 Greenwich Mean Time 5 March 2023
Did he touch me?
'Alonso still has all the race craft'published at 16:21 Greenwich Mean Time 5 March 2023
Sam Bird
Formula E driver on BBC Radio 5 LiveSo 41-year-old Fernando Alonso has still got all the race craft in the world.
Postpublished at 16:21 Greenwich Mean Time 5 March 2023
Lap 46 of 57
Replays of the Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz scrap and it looks like Alonso did touch the rear tyre of Sainz's Ferrari.
We'll wait for the post-race interviews to see what the two Spaniards say...
'Hamilton not out of podium fight'published at 16:20 Greenwich Mean Time 5 March 2023
Sam Bird
Formula E driver on BBC Radio 5 LiveLewis Hamilton is not out of the fight for a podium or P4. Carlos Sainz is really suffering here.
Team radio - to Alonsopublished at 16:19 Greenwich Mean Time 5 March 2023
Keep the pressure on him [Carlos Sainz], he is worried about his tyres.
Postpublished at 16:19 Greenwich Mean Time 5 March 2023
Lap 45 of 57
Fernando Alonso is making his presence felt all over the back of the Ferrari of Carlos Sainz.
He almost tags the rear of the Sainz's Scuderia but avoids disaster. The pair reach Turn Eight and a few moments later, Alonso fires the green AMR23 into third place.
Vamos!
Postpublished at 16:17 Greenwich Mean Time 5 March 2023
Lap 44 of 57
Alpine pitted Pierre Gasly under that virtual safety car and now the Frenchman has made his way from the back of the grid and into the points in ninth.
Carlos Sainz knows now that the Aston Martin of Fernando Alonso is hunting him down for that final podium spot.
Image source, Getty Images'Alonso hunting for P3'published at 16:16 Greenwich Mean Time 5 March 2023
Sam Bird
Formula E driver on BBC Radio 5 LiveFernando Alonso is hunting for P3. He closed in to Carlos Sainz by one second on the last lap.
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 16:15 Greenwich Mean Time 5 March 2023
#BBCF1
Rachel T: If that’s Plan A, then Ferrari are sunk already
Andrew: New season, same Ferrari.
Matthew: Poor Leclerc. I feel sorry for him. But what a turn around for the race. Liking it so far.
Postpublished at 16:15 Greenwich Mean Time 5 March 2023
Lap 43 of 57
Charles Leclerc was the winner of the Bahrain Grand Prix in 2022 but his opener this year ends in disaster. Losing points to the Red Bulls - who sit first and second - would not have been part of the plan for new team boss Fred Vasseur.
Image source, Getty ImagesTop fivepublished at 16:14 Greenwich Mean Time 5 March 2023
1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
2. Sergio Perez (Red Bull)
3. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari)
4. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
5. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
Image source, Getty ImagesGo! Go! Go!published at 16:13 Greenwich Mean Time 5 March 2023
Lap 42 of 57
Devastation for Charles Leclerc but we're back under way in Bahrain.
'When is Leclerc's luck going to change?'published at 16:12 Greenwich Mean Time 5 March 2023
Sam Bird
Formula E driver on BBC Radio 5 LiveI think it might be a fuel management problem or something. Really strange. I feel so sorry for Charles Leclerc. When is his luck going to change?
It's not the way you want your championship to start.
VSCpublished at 16:12 Greenwich Mean Time 5 March 2023
Lap 41 of 57
Charles Leclerc has jumped out of the car and is wandering around on the other side of the track barrier. The marshals are quick to retrieve the SF-23, so doesn't look like a full safety car is needed.
Team radio - Leclercpublished at 16:11 Greenwich Mean Time 5 March 2023
No, no, no, no. Come on. What happened guys? No power.
Virtual safety carpublished at 16:11 Greenwich Mean Time 5 March 2023