Bahrain Grand Prix LIVE: Latest F1 updates as Charles Leclerc loses victory to Lewis Hamilton after late drama
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Follow the latest updates live from the Bahrain Grand Prix as Charles Leclerc starts from pole position for the first time in his career.
The Ferrari new boy stunned teammate Sebastian Vettel on Saturday with a new lap record around the Bahrain International Circuit, leading a Ferrari one-two as they locked out the front row. That left Lewis Hamilton to contend with third place at a track that he has not won at for the last three years, and with both he and Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas off the pace, it could be a painful day for Mercedes.
Max Verstappen leads the best of the rest in his Red Bull, while McLaren got both their cars into Q3 for the first time since Malaysia 2017 in what could be a successful weekend for Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris. Follow the live action below.
When is it?
The Bahrain Grand Prix takes place across the weekend of 29-31 March, with the race itself on Sunday 31 March.
What time does it start?
Lights out is scheduled for 4:10pm BST (6:10pm local).
Where can I watch it?
The race will be shown live on Sky Sports F1 from 2:30pm. Highlights will be shown on Channel 4 from 9pm.
Sky Sports F1 will also be showing every practice session as well as qualifying live throughout the weekend.
Times
First practice: Friday 11am-12:30pm
Second practice: Friday 3pm-4.30pm
Third practice: Saturday 12pm-1pm
Qualifying: Saturday 3pm-4pm
Race: 4:10pm-6:10pm
Grid
1 Charles Leclerc (Mon) Ferrari 1min 27.866secs
2 Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Ferrari 1:28.160
3 Lewis Hamilton (Gbr) Mercedes GP 1:28.190
4 Valtteri Bottas (Fin) Mercedes GP 1:28.256
5 Max Verstappen (Ned) Red Bull 1:28.752
6 Kevin Magnussen (Den) Haas F1 1:28.757
7 Carlos Sainz (Spa) McLaren 1:28.813
8 Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Alfa Romeo Racing 1:29.022
9 Lando Norris (Gbr) McLaren 1:29.043
10 Daniel Ricciardo (Aus) Renault 1:29.488
11 Romain Grosjean (Fra) Haas F1 1:29.015 + three-place grid penalty for blocking
12 Alexander Albon (Tha) Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:29.513
13 Pierre Gasly (Fra) Red Bull 1:29.526
14 Sergio Perez (Mex) Racing Point 1:29.756
15 Daniil Kvyat (Rus) Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:29.854
16 Antonio Giovinazzi (Ita) Alfa Romeo Racing 1:30.026
17 Nico Hulkenberg (Ger) Renault 1:30.034
18 Lance Stroll (Can) Racing Point 1:30.217
19 George Russell (Gbr) Williams 1:31.759
20 Robert Kubica (Pol) Williams 1:31.799
Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of the Bahrain Grand Prix, brought to you from the Bahrain International Circuit.
Lights out is just under an hour away, but stay with us for all the build-up towards the second race of the season.
We've already been treated to a thrilling Saturday qualifying session, where Ferrari newbie Charles Leclerc upset teammate Sebastian Vettel by taking pole position with a new lap record in the process. In taking top spot, Leclerc became the second-youngest pole-sitter in the sport's history, slotting in behind - you guessed it - Vettel himself.
Behind the two Ferraris sit the McLarens, headed by Lewis Hamilton, who had to make do with second best on Saturday, and after winning the opening race of the season as a canter, Valtteri Bottas has work to do to preserve his championship lead as he starts down in fourth.
Behind the two lead teams, the Red Bull of Max Verstappen will look to mix it up at the front once again, but he will have to keep an eye out behind him with Kevin Magnussen and Carlos Sainz for close company, and the rest of the top 10 is completed by Kimi Raikkonen, Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo.
Romain Grosjean was due to start in eight, but the Haas driver has been given a three-place grid penalty for blocking during qualifying.
Bahrain GP grid:
1 Charles Leclerc (Mon) Ferrari 1min 27.866secs
2 Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Ferrari 1:28.160
3 Lewis Hamilton (Gbr) Mercedes GP 1:28.190
4 Valtteri Bottas (Fin) Mercedes GP 1:28.256
5 Max Verstappen (Ned) Red Bull 1:28.752
6 Kevin Magnussen (Den) Haas F1 1:28.757
7 Carlos Sainz (Spa) McLaren 1:28.813
8 Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Alfa Romeo Racing 1:29.022
9 Lando Norris (Gbr) McLaren 1:29.043
10 Daniel Ricciardo (Aus) Renault 1:29.488
11 Romain Grosjean (Fra) Haas F1 1:29.015 + three-place grid penalty for blocking
12 Alexander Albon (Tha) Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:29.513
13 Pierre Gasly (Fra) Red Bull 1:29.526
14 Sergio Perez (Mex) Racing Point 1:29.756
15 Daniil Kvyat (Rus) Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:29.854
16 Antonio Giovinazzi (Ita) Alfa Romeo Racing 1:30.026
17 Nico Hulkenberg (Ger) Renault 1:30.034
18 Lance Stroll (Can) Racing Point 1:30.217
19 George Russell (Gbr) Williams 1:31.759
20 Robert Kubica (Pol) Williams 1:31.799
**35 MINUTES TO GO**
The green light flicks on at the end of pit lane and the paddock springs into life as the drivers head out for a few installation laps before making their way to the grid.
Leclerc will not have experienced anything like this before. The Ferrari driver is the most in-demand driver on the grid right now, with reporters queuing up to get a word in with him as he prepares for the biggest race of his life so far.
It has taken the pressure off of Vettel and Hamilton for once, which I'm sure they're enjoying, while a number of big names have emerged for the grid walk.
Both David Beckham and Frankie Dettori have popped up, while for motor racing fans the sight of five-time MotoGP champion Mick Doohan will bring back some fond memories.
Vettel and Bottas have got their timing horribly wrong as the pair are seen sprinting down pit lane for the national anthem, which gets underway without them. Funnily enough, that might not be the only time the pair are side-by-side this evening, and as the sun descends over the horizon, the track is now illuminated by the thousands and thousands of lights that surround it.
The ceremonial fly-by sees a Gulf Air aeroplane soar over the start line, and we're under 15 minutes from lights out.
With the national anthem over and done with, the drivers are given the all-clear to suit up, put their helmets on and climb into their 200mph+ missiles.
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff on seeing their rivals on pole position:
With a neutral hat on, Charles Leclerc on pole is great to see. He really deserves it and it's great for the sport to have a young guy on pole.
The engines roar into life as the grid starts to clear, and off the 20 drivers go on the warm-up lap.
Here's a reminder of how the grid lines up:
1 Charles Leclerc (Mon) Ferrari 1min 27.866secs
2 Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Ferrari 1:28.160
3 Lewis Hamilton (Gbr) Mercedes GP 1:28.190
4 Valtteri Bottas (Fin) Mercedes GP 1:28.256
5 Max Verstappen (Ned) Red Bull 1:28.752
6 Kevin Magnussen (Den) Haas F1 1:28.757
7 Carlos Sainz (Spa) McLaren 1:28.813
8 Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Alfa Romeo Racing 1:29.022
9 Lando Norris (Gbr) McLaren 1:29.043
10 Daniel Ricciardo (Aus) Renault 1:29.488
11 Romain Grosjean (Fra) Haas F1 1:29.015 + three-place grid penalty for blocking
12 Alexander Albon (Tha) Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:29.513
13 Pierre Gasly (Fra) Red Bull 1:29.526
14 Sergio Perez (Mex) Racing Point 1:29.756
15 Daniil Kvyat (Rus) Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:29.854
16 Antonio Giovinazzi (Ita) Alfa Romeo Racing 1:30.026
17 Nico Hulkenberg (Ger) Renault 1:30.034
18 Lance Stroll (Can) Racing Point 1:30.217
19 George Russell (Gbr) Williams 1:31.759
20 Robert Kubica (Pol) Williams 1:31.799
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