Verstappen Records Fastest Time in Bahrain’s Free Practice

Max Verstappen has recorded the best time throughout the first free practice of the new Formula 1 season.

 

The 23-year-old employed by Red Bull went around the Bahrain International Circuit in 1.31.394. Verstappen only got to twelve laps, the least of all.

The second time in the first practice in the run-up to the Bahrain GP was set by the Finn Valtteri Bottas of Mercedes, who was 0.298 slower than Verstappen. The Brit Lando Norris of McLaren finished third at half a second from Verstappen. The fourth-fastest time was for reigning British champion Lewis Hamilton, who conceded 0.527 to Verstappen in his Mercedes.

The Mexican Sergio Pérez, Verstappen’s new teammate, was sixth fastest. Debutants Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin van Haas finished nineteenth and twentieth, behind Williams drivers George Russell and Nicholas Latifi.

The free practice lasted only an hour; last season, the drivers were allowed to test an hour and a half per session.

The second training will take place at 4 p.m. The race is on Sunday at 5 p.m.