Bahrain GP FP1 Results: What Happened In Free Practice 1

Your Sports Illustrated report of the Bahrain Grand Prix Free Practice 1.

The first Free Practice Session of the 2023 F1 Season has ended. Fans have been eager to see how the pre-season testing performance stacked up under practice conditions, and while this still isn't entirely indicative of each team's performance, we'll dive in to analyse what we can. 

The first Free Practice Session of the Bahrain Grand Prix was an exciting one with Perez taking the top of the timesheet. Driving on soft tyres, they put in a lap time of 1:32.758. 

In comparison, Sergio Perez, who set the fastest lap during pre-season testing, completed a lap in 1:30.305 using C4 tyres.

Standout Moments

Both Williams drivers were the first to hit the track led by Logan Sergeant, followed closely by McLaren, AlphaTauri, and Alfa Romeo. Alpine, testing new bodywork, have a huge aero rake on the rear of their car which we assume was testing new upgrades to the A523. 

Alex Albon's Williams also have small aero rakes behind the rear wheels, and Ferrari still has flow-vis paint over the rear wing. Red Bull is clear of any of this. 

First Completed Lap

Nyck de Vries puts in the first lap at a time of 1:37.839 on medium tyres. Fernando Alonso was quick to place a timed lap of 1:35.048 in his potent Aston Martin with Max Verstappen finishing his first timed lap almost 4 tenths behind that. 

Lewis Hamilton was one of the last drivers to set a time with him sitting fourth on the timesheet in the first 15 minutes, a second off Red Bull's Sergio Perez who led at the time. 

Issues

Oscar Piastri's McLaren looked a handful, snapping around Turn 7, with the team also funning flow-vis paint around the front winglets over the wheels unsurprisingly. The team also had issues with its mirrors, with both cars undergoing maintenance around this area.

Aston Martin also had issues at on Lance Stroll's car, rearing its head as an ignition problem. It spend a good 20 minutes in the pits - not good for the Canadian driver who needs as much time in the car as possible after missing pre-season testing. 

Despite Ferrari showing off incredible reliability over the pre-season testing weekend, the Maranello squad noticed severe movement in their rear wing due to the single pylon today. This was swapped out for a double pylon setup, giving it more structural integrity. 

Conclusion

Overall a good practice session, but with teams still making changes, we can't take any definite analysis from this. More to come later today. Despite this, it's no surprise to see Red Bull on top, but it's great to see Aston Martin and driver Fernando Alonso at the top in second place. 

Here's how to watch the next Practice Sessions. 

Bahrain FP1 Results

1. Perez, Red Bull - 1m32.758s
2. Alonso, Aston Martin - 1m33.196s
3. Verstappen, Red Bull - 1m33.375s
4. Norris, McLaren - 1m34.165s
5. Leclerc, Ferrari - 1m34.257s
6. Stroll, Aston Martin - 1m34.298s
7. Magnussen, Haas - 1m34.402s
8. Zhou, Alfa Romeo - 1m34.575s
9. Bottas, Alfa Romeo - 1m34.689s
10. Hamilton, Mercedes - 1m34.917s