Bahrain Grand Prix qualifying LIVE: F1 latest updates, track times, results, grid and pole position

Follow all the latest updates from the first grand prix of the season as Lewis Hamilton sets sights on a record eighth world title

(AP)

ed Bull’s Max Verstappen took a superb pole position on Saturday for the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix and will start the race immediately ahead of Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton. Verstappen earned his fourth career pole to deny Hamilton his 99th, edging out the world champion by .39 seconds on his final attempt. “The whole weekend has been pretty good so far,” Verstappen said. “We knew what our weaknesses were last year and it looks like we’ve addressed them.” Verstappen praised Honda for improving reliability. “Honda have worked really hard to improve their engine,” he said. “Their turnaround has been really good and their understanding of the engine is impressive. They are just flat out all the time and want to win.” Hamilton’s teammate Valtteri Bottas was .59 behind Verstappen in third, while Charles Leclerc qualified in an encouraging fourth for Ferrari. In another encouraging sign for Honda, Pierre Gasly was fifth for AlphaTauri, which also uses their engine. Verstappen clinched the season-ending Abu Dhabi last December from pole and now goes for the 11th win of his career. Hamilton seeks a record-extending 96th win. “We knew it was going to be a challenge, a bit of an uphill slog,” Hamilton said. “Congratulations to Max. I gave everything I had.” Verstappen led the first part of qualifying, known as Q1, ahead of AlphaTauri’s 20-year-old Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda. Both cars use Honda engines and the Japanese manufacturer is in its final season before leaving F1. Sebastian Vettel, who endured a torrid season last year with Ferrari, started the new one badly. He was among the five drivers eliminated from Q1 and starts 18th for Aston Martin. Michael Schumacher’s son, Mick Schumacher, starts from 19th at the track where his father won the inaugural race in 2004, the year he clinched his seventh F1 title. Hamilton is looking to win a record eighth title. Ferrari duo Carlos Sainz Jr. and Leclerc topped Q2 ahead of Hamilton, an encouraging sign for the famed Italian manufacturer given last season’s difficulties. Earlier in the day, Verstappen clocked the fastest time in the final practice when, in hot conditions, he was .74 seconds quicker than Hamilton. Vettel came back to the garage with about 20 minutes left in the session, telling his team some debris had hit his race helmet. Qualifying took place in the evening under cooler conditions as the sun set on the Sakhir desert track. Verstappen is continuing his form from pre-season testing and last year’s season-ending Abu Dhabi GP, which he won. [AP}

Re-live all the action below.

• Max Verstappen quickest in final practice

Bahrain GP qualifying

• Red Bull’s Max Verstappen quickest in all three practice sessions

[27 March 2021 14:44 · Andrew Gamble]

Despite winning both the drivers’ and constructor’s world championships, Lewis Hamilton has claimed that Mercedes are ‘not the fastest team’ as the F1 season is set to kick-off in Bahrain.

The German manufacturer struggled in pre-season while Red Bull starred, with Max Verstappen looking better than ever to launch a title tilt - and Hamilton is ready for the challenge.

“It’s massively exciting for us as a team. We’re not the fastest. How are we going to work to get to where we want to be?

“That challenge is so exciting.”

[27 March 2021 14:40 · Andrew Gamble]

[27 March 2021 14:36 · Andrew Gamble]

TWO MULTIPLE WORLD CHAMPIONS TO WATCH

Sebastian Vettel endured a difficult final few seasons at Ferrari, and it will be interesting to see how he bounces back with Aston Martin (formerly Racing Point).

Oh, and then there’s the small story that Fernando Alonso is back. Alonso, who turns 40 years old in July, returns to Formula 1 after retiring in 2018 because he was...well...bored?

The boredom is gone now - and the two-time World Champion is back with the team that he won with: Renault - except, not Renault.

The French giants have rebranded and will hope to make a splash as Alpine.

[27 March 2021 14:31 · Andrew Gamble]

LANDO NORRIS WAVING TO FORMER-TEAMMATE CARLOS SAINZ

[27 March 2021 14:30 · Andrew Gamble]

ROOKIE WATCH

The influx of young talent in the pinnacle of motorsport continues for 2021, with three fresh new faces hoping to leave their mark.

Haas are the team to watch in this regard, becoming the first team to partner two rookies in Formula 1 history. Mick Schumacher, son of the legendary seven-time World Champion Michael, has joined after winning F2 and he will be alongside the controversial Nikita Mazepin.

Meanwhile, AlphaTauri have brought in Yuki Tsunoda - the first Japanese driver in seven years - to partner Pierre Gasly. The 20-year-old is also the first driver born in the 21st century to drive in F1.

I am now frighteningly aware of my age. Thanks, Yuki.

[27 March 2021 14:23 · Andrew Gamble]

[27 March 2021 14:19 · Andrew Gamble]

HOW DID FP3 FINISH?

Max Verstappen went fastest - completing a clean sweep of the practice sessions - ahead of Lewis Hamilton, truly whetting the appetite for a clash between the two drivers widely considered to be the sport’s elite.

Pierre Gasly put in a blinder of a lap to finish third, ahead of Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas and Red Bull’s Sergio Perez.

Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, who swapped McLaren for the Prancing Horses, finished in sixth with Kimi Raikkonen of Alfa Romeo in seventh.

Alpine’s Esteban Ocon, Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll and McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo rounded out the top 10.

[27 March 2021 14:13 · Andrew Gamble]

[27 March 2021 14:10 · Andrew Gamble]

HERE WE GO

The 2021 Formula 1 season kicks off in just under an hour - no testing, no practice sessions, just qualifying.

Max Verstappen and Red Bull have impressed so far, can they take the championship fight to Mercedes?

We will find out soon enough.

[27 March 2021 13:59 · Lawrence Ostlere]

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