Bahrain Grand Prix LIVE: Latest F1 updates as Charles Leclerc loses victory to Lewis Hamilton after late drama

Follow the latest from the Bahrain Grand Prix

Formula One: 2019 season preview

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

Key Points

• Lewis Hamilton wins Bahrain Grand Prix
• Charles Leclerc loses eight-second lead due to engine issue
• Race finishes behind safety car to salvage third for Leclerc behind Baltteri Bottas
• Sebastian Vettell spins while fighting Hamilton and finishes fifth

[31 March 2019 17:52 · Jack de Menezes]

It's muted celebrations from Mercedes, as Hamilton applauds the crowd and hugs Bottas. But he runs straight to Leclerc and gives him a hug along with a few consoling words for the third-place driver.

[31 March 2019 17:54 · Jack de Menezes]

Lewis Hamilton:

"Today was a really really hard job. this weekend the Ferraris have been incredible and I just had to see Charles there because he's been brilliant and deserved to win that race.

"I still pushed really hard and the fight with Sebastian was great. If you looked at that tower there's a massive flag and there was a head wind. I pushed like hard and I don't think we touched. It was a great pass."

[31 March 2019 17:54 · Jack de Menezes]

Valtteri Bottas:

"As a team we struggled today but we didn't stop fighting and made the right calls."

[31 March 2019 17:57 · Jack de Menezes]

Charles Leclerc:

"It happens. it's part of motorsport. Unfortunately today wasn't our day but the team have done amazing to recover the pace we lost in Australia. What can you say, it happens? I think we had the situation as I don't think the safety car would have got us. It's hard to take but we'll come back.

"I didn't do a good start, and then we were very strong all race long so it's a shame to finish third, but we'll come back stronger.

"I'm never really looking at results, I always want to be better but today I don't think third was out position today."

[31 March 2019 17:59 · Jack de Menezes]

Hamilton and Leclerc are talking in the debrief room, and it's a few touching words that bring a small smile to the Ferrari driver's face. 

"You drove a fantastic weekend, you're going to have a great victory and many wins. You should be proud," says Hamilton.

"Thank you very much," responds Leclerc.

[31 March 2019 18:06 · Jack de Menezes]

That wraps up our coverage of the Bahrain Grand Prix - and boy was it entertaining!

Heartbreak for Charles Leclerc, who was cruelly denied a deserved victory by a Ferrari engine failure, but the salvation comes in him holding on to third for his first podium finish, and he should listen to Hamilton as he certainly has a bright future ahead of him.

For Hamilton, it is a sour victory as while it brings him to within a point of Bottas at the top of the table, Mercedes were not at their best in Bahrain.

Oh, and by the way, that point lead for Bottas comes from his fastest lap in Australia. Who knows how important they'll be come the end of the season.

[31 March 2019 18:53 · Jack de Menezes]

Final Positions after Race (57 Laps):

1 Lewis Hamilton (Gbr) Mercedes GP 1hr 34mins 21.295secs

2 Valtteri Bottas (Fin) Mercedes GP 1:34:24.275

3 Charles Leclerc (Mon) Ferrari 1:34:27.426

4 Max Verstappen (Ned) Red Bull 1:34:27.703

5 Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Ferrari 1:34:57.363

6 Lando Norris (Gbr) McLaren 1:35:07.049

7 Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Alfa Romeo Racing 1:35:08.765

8 Pierre Gasly (Fra) Red Bull 1:35:19.389

9 Alexander Albon (Tha) Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:35:23.992

10 Sergio Perez (Mex) Racing Point 1:35:24.991

11 Antonio Giovinazzi (Ita) Alfa Romeo Racing 1:35:25.894

12 Daniil Kvyat (Rus) Scuderia Toro Rosso at 1 lap

13 Kevin Magnussen (Den) Haas F1 at 1 lap

14 Lance Stroll (Can) Racing Point at 1 lap

15 George Russell (Gbr) Williams at 1 lap

16 Robert Kubica (Pol) Williams at 2 laps

17 Nico Hulkenberg (Ger) Renault at 4 laps

18 Daniel Ricciardo (Aus) Renault at 4 laps

19 Carlos Sainz (Spa) McLaren at 4 laps

Not Classified:

20 Romain Grosjean (Fra) Haas F1 16 laps completed