F1 Bahrain GP RESULT: Max Verstappen eases to win but Toto Wolff labels day ‘one of his worst in racing’

Max Verstappen won the Bahrain Grand Prix to secure a perfect start to his F1 title defence in 2023.

It was a dominant performance from the Dutch driver, who was 11 seconds clear of teammate Sergio Perez in second as Red Bull claimed a memorable opening-weekend one-two.

The best drive of the day went to Fernando Alonso however, who banked a superb third on debut for Aston Martin. Carlos Sainz was fourth, with Lewis Hamilton making the best of a disappointing day for Mercedes in fifth.

Meanwhile, it was a miserable day for Charles Leclerc and Ferrari, with the Monegasque driver forced to retire after 41 laps following an engine problem.

Follow live reaction from the Bahrain Grand Prix with The Independent

F1 BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX - LIVE

• Max Verstappen wins the Bahrain Grand Prix; Sergio Perez 2nd; Fernando Alonso 3rd

• Lap 45/57: Alonso overtakes Carlos Sainz to get up to third place

• Lap 41/57: Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc OUT of the race with an engine problem

• Lap 39/57: Alonso passes Lewis Hamilton with a terrific move

• Lap 26/57: Perez retakes second place from Leclerc

• Lap 15/57: McLaren’s Oscar Piastri out of the race with an electrical issue

• Lap 1/57: Lance Stroll hits his Aston Maritn team-mate Fernando Alonso

• Lap 1/57: Leclerc overtakes Perez down into turn 1

• Lewis Hamilton’s one-word answer reveals intent over F1 future

• F1 2023 SEASON PREVIEW: Can anybody stop Verstappen - and what’s happened to Mercedes?

• SEASON PREDICTIONS: World champion, best race and surprise star

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: Goodbye!

19:30 , Kieran Jackson

Thank you for joining us for the season-opening race in Bahrain with The Independent!

Join us tomorrow for all the reaction from the F1 world - have a very good evening!

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: Mercedes boss Toto Wolff despondent after Bahrain GP

19:18 , Kieran Jackson

Toto Wolff revealed the Bahrain Grand Prix was “one of his worst days in racing” as he insists Mercedes need “radical” change to their car.

As Red Bull dominated with Max Verstappen leading home a comfortable one-two finish, Mercedes were woefully short of pace – losing around a second-a-lap to the Red Bulls.

While Lewis Hamilton made up places early on, the seven-time world champion couldn’t hold off Fernando Alonso’s roaring Aston Martin and could only manage fifth in the end.

George Russell finished behind the other Aston Martin – Lance Stroll – to come home seventh and despite showing slight improvements over the weekend from a tricky testing period, it marks a difficult start to the season for the Silver Arrows.

And Wolff was particularly despondent after the racing, telling Sky Sports: “One of my worst days in racing, lacking pace left right and centre.

“Aston Martin have the pace, they deserve it, the Red Bulls are on a different planet. They’re so far ahead it hurts, it reminds me of our years when we were a second a lap ahead of everyone else.”

The dominant team in Formula 1 for eight straight years, their unique ‘no-sidepod’ design last year saw them slip down the pecking order; an approach they have persevered with at the start of 2023.

Yet Wolff revealed on Saturday night after a poor qualifying performance that Mercedes will have to change course if they want to challenge for the World Championship.

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: FULL LEADERBOARD

18:58 , Kieran Jackson

1 Max VERSTAPPEN

2 Sergio PEREZ +11.987

3 Fernando ALONSO +38.637

4 Carlos SAINZ +48.052

5 Lewis HAMILTON +50.977

6 Lance STROLL +54.502

7 George RUSSELL +55.873

8 Valtteri BOTTAS +72.647

9 Pierre GASLY +73.753

10 Alexander ALBON +89.774

11 Yuki TSUNODA +90.870

12 Logan SARGEANT 1L

13 Kevin MAGNUSSEN 1L

14 Nyck DE VRIES 1L

15 Nico HULKENBERG 1L

16 GuanyuZHOU 1L

17 Lando NORRIS 2L

18 Esteban OCON - retired

19 Charles LECLERC - retired

20 Oscar PIASTRI - retired

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: ‘What happened guys?’: Charles Leclerc left devastated after retiring at Bahrain Grand Prix

18:23 , Kieran Jackson

Charles Leclerc suffered a devastating start to the 2023 F1 season after retiring while in third place.

The Ferrari driver ended the Bahrain Grand Prix after 41 laps with the team confirming there was an engine problem, rather than the power unit.

The Monegasque driver remarked: “No, no, no! Come on, what happened guys? No power.” A virtual safety car followed, costing Leclerc a probable 15 points and a season-opening podium place.

Leclerc kept his composure after his race finished and could be seen drinking a bottle of water before gathering his things to return to the garage.

Charles Leclerc reacts after devastating end to Bahrain Grand Prix

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: RACE REPORT

18:15 , Kieran Jackson

Max Verstappen opened his championship defence with a crushing victory at the Bahrain Grand Prix.

The Red Bull driver, who dominated last season to claim his second consecutive world crown, outclassed his rivals with an ominous performance under the floodlights in Sakhir.

Sergio Perez finished runner-up, 11.9 seconds adrift, as Red Bull completed a one-two, while Fernando Alonso took the final spot on the podium after Ferrari’s mechanical woes rolled into the new season when Charles Leclerc retired with an engine failure. Carlos Sainz finished fourth.

Lewis Hamilton took the chequered flag in fifth, 51 seconds behind, with team-mate George Russell seventh on a sobering evening for Mercedes.

Hamilton’s display comes just 24 hours after team principal Toto Wolff revealed the team, which once dominated the sport, are ready to consign this season’s car to the rubbish bin and start from scratch.

Verstappen cruises to victory at Bahrain GP as Alonso claims stunning podium

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: Fred Vasseur...

18:12 , Kieran Jackson

“It’s a bit disappointing. We have to make huge improvements in terms of reliability, we have to make some improvement on the long stint.

“The first comment was still 22 to go. We know it’ll be tough but at least now we have a clear situation of the picture.”

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: Charles Leclerc...

18:07 , Kieran Jackson

“I don’t know, I have no idea what happened on the car. I lost the power, don’t know for which reason. I don’t want to comment, it is a shame, we expected to be in a battle this weekend but Red Bull are on another planet.”

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: Lawrence Stroll...

18:03 , Kieran Jackson

On Alonso: “Fernando is one of the greatest drivers that has been. Fernando shared my belief - I shared him my plans for the future. He said ‘I’m going to

“I don’t like to give targets, we’re going to try our best. It’ll get better - as long as we have a great year I don’t really care about the position.”

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: Carlos Sainz...

18:00 , Kieran Jackson

“Bit of a reality check, a lot of work to do. Hopefully the tracks are better...”

“Not ideal and it worries us until we find a solution. Hopefully we find it soon.”

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: Fernando Alonso...

17:58 , Kieran Jackson

“What a start on this project, it was unthinkable eight months ago. The race felt very long but I could have drived for another hour. When you’re fighting against Lewis, he managed to pass me at turn 4. I tried at another place and it worked!”

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: FULL LEADERBOARD

17:57 , Kieran Jackson

1 Max VERSTAPPEN

2 Sergio PEREZ +11.987

3 Fernando ALONSO +38.637

4 Carlos SAINZ +48.052

5 Lewis HAMILTON +50.977

6 Lance STROLL +54.502

7 George RUSSELL +55.873

8 Valtteri BOTTAS +72.647

9 Pierre GASLY +73.753

10 Alexander ALBON +89.774

11 Yuki TSUNODA +90.870

12 Logan SARGEANT 1L

13 Kevin MAGNUSSEN 1L

14 Nyck DE VRIES 1L

15 Nico HULKENBERG 1L

16 GuanyuZHOU 1L

17 Lando NORRIS 2L

18 Esteban OCON - retired

19 Charles LECLERC - retired

20 Oscar PIASTRI - retired

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: Toto Wolff..

17:50 , Kieran Jackson

“One of the worst days in racing, lacking pace left right and centre. Aston Martin have the pace, they deserve it, the Red Bulls are on a different planet.

“They’re so far ahead it hurts, reminds me of our years when we were a second a lap ahead.

On waiting for Imola upgrade: “No I think it needs to be much more radical than just hope for an upgrade. I think it’s just radical - Aston deserve to be where they are they did a fantastic job. There’s a lot of Mercedes in there, we know where to pinpoint it and that’ll be helpful on the recovery.

On Hamilton: “It shows the leadership. There must be a lot of suffering in the car, you can see it on the steering wheel.”

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: George Russell...

17:46 , Kieran Jackson

“We’re a bit on the back foot and you feel a bit helpless when you’re lacking a tenth compared to the cars around you. Fernando and Lance were very strong, it was a really difficult race for us.

“We’re here to fight for victories and we’re a long way for it. Hit the drawing boards tomorrow and see where we go.”

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: ‘What happened guys?’: Charles Leclerc left devastated after retiring at Bahrain Grand Prix

17:40 , Kieran Jackson

Charles Leclerc suffered a devastating start to the 2023 F1 season after retiring while in third place.

The Ferrari driver ended the Bahrain Grand Prix after 41 laps with the team confirming there was an engine problem, rather than the power unit.

The Monegasque driver remarked: “No, no, no! Come on, what happened guys? No power.” A virtual safety car followed, costing Leclerc a probable 15 points and a season-opening podium place.

Leclerc kept his composure after his race finished and could be seen drinking a bottle of water before gathering his things to return to the garage.

Charles Leclerc reacts after devastating end to Bahrain Grand Prix

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton...

17:37 , Kieran Jackson

Hamilton over team radio at end of race: “Guys, great work over these two weeks. I know we’re not where we want to be... we’ve got some serious work to do to close the gap but let’s go for it.”

In media pen: “I gave it everything, I’m happy with the race and happy with my performance. Unfortunately the car is not there at the moment, lacking downforce, need to add that asap. Anything in the windtunnel we need it tomorrow. Red Bull’s pace was huge, at least a second a lap. Those around us I think we can catch.

“As a driver you always hope you’re going forwards and getting in a tussle. Much more enjoyable battle, got Fernando in turn 4. Close with the Ferrari at one stage - not much more we could have done today. Overall just lacking performance so just got to keep working.”

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: Pierre Gasly...

17:31 , Kieran Jackson

“Saturday was a disaster. Messy laps, couldn’t put it together. Surprised with the car balance. Paid the price with it, a messy Saturday and was pretty mad last night. Targeted the points and we made it.

“I felt confident, I knew the car in the race was good.

On Ocon relationship: “When you’re team-mates, you don’t need to be best friends but got to find a way to work together.

“I always say people underestimate the good times we had, nobody really knows the story. We both want to be champions, we both have very good ambitions..”

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: Lance Stroll...

17:26 , Kieran Jackson

Stroll finished P6 today: “Amazing way to start the season. I have pain, grinding it out at the end, thinking about those points, feels good!

“It’s been an insane journey. The last two weeks has been the most insane of my life, terrible time to crash on a bicycle. Doctors were telling me maybe Australia, maybe Baku, light at the end of the tunnel was hard to see. But had a great medical team around me.

“Well done to everybody back at the factory for buiding this incredible machine, it’s a pleasure to drive.

On collision with Alonso: “My wrists were on fire, shed a few tears. Dodged a few bullets.”

“My right wrist is feeling more solid. Left wrist should just improve. It should get better over the next couple of weeks...”

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: Alex Albon...

17:19 , Kieran Jackson

“The Aston have made a very step forwards but I believe we’re second best in terms of improvement. We should have been in Q3 in my opinion. We weren’t that far away from Mercedes in terms of pace. It was a good start!”

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: RACE REPORT

17:15 , Kieran Jackson

Max Verstappen opened his championship defence with a crushing victory at the Bahrain Grand Prix.

The Red Bull driver, who dominated last season to claim his second consecutive world crown, outclassed his rivals with an ominous performance under the floodlights in Sakhir.

Sergio Perez finished runner-up, 11.9 seconds adrift, as Red Bull completed a one-two, while Fernando Alonso took the final spot on the podium after Ferrari’s mechanical woes rolled into the new season when Charles Leclerc retired with an engine failure. Carlos Sainz finished fourth.

Lewis Hamilton took the chequered flag in fifth, 51 seconds behind, with team-mate George Russell seventh on a sobering evening for Mercedes.

Hamilton’s display comes just 24 hours after team principal Toto Wolff revealed the team, which once dominated the sport, are ready to consign this season’s car to the rubbish bin and start from scratch.

Verstappen cruises to victory at Bahrain GP as Alonso claims stunning podium

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: Christian Horner, speaking to Sky...

17:10 , Kieran Jackson

“It’s been an incredible weekend. The drivers were just fantastic, the deg was less than the others. Checo losing out at the start, he had some work to do, he got the pass.

“It’s only a sample of one, it’s a great start for us. We’ve done it in the best possible way. It was a good first race for us.

“When you’ve got pace in the car and deg under control, you’ve got options. Ferrari were unlucky with Charles, we need to see Jeddah. Let’s reserve judgement until a few races.

“Max was probably less happy with the car from the test than Checo. It’s great to have both guys fighting for fine margins. Important to get some good points in early.”

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: Time for the podium!

16:58 , Kieran Jackson

A buoyant Fernando Alonso takes his place in third spot on the podium - and Max Verstappen is on top in Bahrain!

Now time for the Dutch and Austrian natioanl anthems for Verstappen and Red Bull’s win...

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: FULL LEADERBOARD

16:54 , Kieran Jackson

1 Max VERSTAPPEN

2 Sergio PEREZ +11.987

3 Fernando ALONSO +38.637

4 Carlos SAINZ +48.052

5 Lewis HAMILTON +50.977

6 Lance STROLL +54.502

7 George RUSSELL +55.873

8 Valtteri BOTTAS +72.647

9 Pierre GASLY +73.753

10 Alexander ALBON +89.774

11 Yuki TSUNODA +90.870

12 Logan SARGEANT 1L

13 Kevin MAGNUSSEN 1L

14 Nyck DE VRIES 1L

15 Nico HULKENBERG 1L

16 GuanyuZHOU 1L

17 Lando NORRIS 2L

18 Esteban OCON - retired

19 Charles LECLERC - retired

20 Oscar PIASTRI - retired

A big point for Williams as Alex Albon finishes in 10th!

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: Max Verstappen...

16:52 , Kieran Jackson

“Very good first stint where I had my gap. Then looking after the tyres, in good condition, very happy to finally win here in Bahrain.

“Little things you always want to finetune. Easy to get on top of. We have a good race package, it’ll depend a bit race-by-race - thanks to the team for giving us such a great time.”

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: Sergio Perez..

16:48 , Kieran Jackson

“It’s a great start. We’ve worked really hard over the winter. We have a strong package so it was important to get both cars to the end.

“The start put me out of contention for the race. Finishing second was the maximum I could do, it’s a long season. I’m feeling confident with the car.”

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: Fernando Alonso...

16:47 , Kieran Jackson

“Congrats to Lance my team-mate, had surgery and now he’s fighting.

“It’s just amazing, what Aston Martin did over the winter, to have the second best team on race one is just unreal.

“We had not the best start and we had to pass on track, it felt more exciting and adrenaline, but let’s go to Jeddah.”

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: Fernando Alonso...

16:41 , Kieran Jackson

The Spaniard just a bit happy over team radio: “What you have done guys. I’m so proud, this is amazing!”

Lewis Hamilton, meanwhile: “We’ve got some serious work to do to close the gap but I believe in you all.”

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: MAX VERSTAPPEN WINS THE BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX!

16:40 , Kieran Jackson

A cruise in the desert for the reigning world champion - Max Verstappen triumphs in Bahrain!

Sergio Perez comes home in second to complete a memorable opening-day one-two for Red Bull.

And Fernando Alonso earns his 99th podium in Formula 1! A brilliant moment for Aston Martin!

Verstappen: “Very lovely that. Really good result. We had good racepace. Thank you guys, that’s exactly the start of the season we wanted and needed!”

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: LAP 57/57 - TOP-3: Verstappen, Perez, Alonso

16:38 , Kieran Jackson

Final lap!

Max Verstappen cruising to his first victory at the Bahrain Grand Prix! 36 seconds clear of the next non-Red Bull car, Fernando Alonso in third.

And Lando Norris makes a sixth pit stop!

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: LAP 55/57 - TOP-3: Verstappen, Perez, Alonso

16:35 , Kieran Jackson

Three laps to go - Red Bull in cruise control in their one-two formation.

Lando Norris, meanwhile, the last car on track in 17th with Ocon, Leclerc and Piastri having retired, And he’s a minute behind Hulkenberg in 16th after making FIVE pit stops!

Horror show for McLaren!

1-10: Verstappen, Perez, Alonso, Sainz, Hamilton, Stroll, Russell, Bottas, Gasly, Albon

Sainz’s gap to Hamilton now 2.4 seconds. Should have secured fourth now...

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: LAP 52/57 - TOP-3: Verstappen, Perez, Alonso

16:32 , Kieran Jackson

Biggest fight now on track is for the final points place in 10th, with Yuki Tsunoda in 11th in DRS range of Alex Albon in 10th.

Meanwhile, Alonso over team radio: “This is a lovely car to drive.”

The Spaniard very happy heading for a podium in his Aston Martin!

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: LAP 52/57 - TOP-3: Verstappen, Perez, Alonso

16:30 , Kieran Jackson

Carlos Sainz has found some pace - his lead to Lewis Hamilton is now 1.2 seconds, out of DRS range!

Missed earlier, by the way, Esteban Ocon’s car has been retired. Probably for the best, given all the penalties...

With five laps to go, 1-12: Verstappen, Perez, Alonso, Sainz, Hamilton, Stroll, Russell, Bottas, Gasly, Albon, Tsunoda, Sargeant

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: LAP 49/57 - TOP-3: Verstappen, Perez, Alonso

16:25 , Kieran Jackson

Hamilton can’t quite get close enough for a move at this point.

Meanwhile, Sainz: “Why am I bouncing so much?”

Confirmation from Ferrari: engine problem for Charles Leclerc.

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: LAP 48/57 - TOP-3: Verstappen, Perez, Alonso

16:23 , Kieran Jackson

Now it’s Lewis Hamilton right on the tail of Carlos Sainz!

The Mercedes man has DRS on the Ferrari - can the seven-time world champion get up to fourth?

By the way, Verstappen’s lead to Perez: 10 seconds.

An absolute cruise for Red Bull out in front...

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: LAP 45/57 - TOP-3: Verstappen, Perez, Alonso

16:20 , Kieran Jackson

What a battle!

Fernando Alonso lightly touches Carlos Sainz out of turn 4 - but the Aston Martin gets it done out of turn 10 on the straight!

He’s up into third place! VAMOS!

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: LAP 44/57 - TOP-3: Verstappen, Perez, Sainz

16:18 , Kieran Jackson

Fernando Alonso is now right on the tail of Carlos Sainz - could he get his 99th podium tonight?!

Alonso has DRS now behind the Ferrari. Sainz says: “If I try to defend I may not make it to the end.”

Here we go...

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: LAP 42/57 - TOP-3: Verstappen, Perez, Sainz

16:15 , Kieran Jackson

Charles Leclerc out the car - and no proper safety car, we’re back to green flag conditions!

A NIGHTMARE for the Ferrari man! He took a new battery before the race too!

Fernando Alonso now in the hunt - in fourth - for a podium, with the Spaniard two seconds off compatriot Carlos Sainz in third. Alonso has also set the fastest lap of the race.

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: LAP 41/57 - TOP-3: Verstappen, Perez, Sainz

16:12 , Kieran Jackson

OH NO! Charles Leclerc is OUT of the race!

He’s stopped just off track in sector 3 - a battery issue?! His Ferrari cut out completely!

New year, same old problems for Ferrari - what a nightmare!

Virtual safety car... race neutralised.

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: LAP 39/57 - TOP-3: Verstappen, Perez, Leclerc

16:08 , Kieran Jackson

Fernando Alonso gets it done this time!

The Aston Martin passes Lewis Hamilton with a terrific move down into turn 10 - Hamilton didn’t see it coming!

Alonso up to fifth! Yet both of them lapping quicker than Carlos Sainz in fourth..

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: LAP 37/57 - TOP-3: Verstappen, Perez, Leclerc

16:06 , Kieran Jackson

Verstappen pits - and comes out 12 seconds ahead of Perez!

But the real battle is further back! Alonso passes Hamilton into turn 4 but the Mercedes comes back at the Aston Martin out of turn 4 - to retake fifth place!

Great racing between these two legends!

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: LAP 35/57 - TOP-3: Verstappen, Perez, Leclerc

16:02 , Kieran Jackson

Sergio Perez and Fernando Alonso both pit!

Perez still comes out in second! And Alonso does NOT get out in front of Lewis Hamilton, who retains fifth position!

Gap from Verstappen to Perez? 38 seconds. Verstappen does have to pit again - but it’s a mighty, mighty lead!

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: LAP 34/57 - TOP-3: Verstappen, Perez, Alonso

16:01 , Kieran Jackson

Charles Leclerc pits - and comes out behind Fernando Alonso in fourth!

The Spaniard pushing hard as he looks for the overcut to come out ahead of Lewis Hamilton, down in sixth.

So, 1-10 currently: Verstappen, Perez, Alonso, Leclerc, Sainz, Hamilton, Stroll, Russell, Bottas, Albon

Look out for Williams’ Alex Albon in 10th - could they get a point on opening day?!

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: LAP 33/57 - TOP-3: Verstappen, Perez, Leclerc

15:58 , Kieran Jackson

The undercut works for Lance Stroll at Aston Martin!

George Russell comes in to the pits and despite a fight as he comes out of the pit lane at turn 1, Stroll takes Russell at turn 4 to move up to seventh!

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: LAP 32/57 - TOP-3: Verstappen, Perez, Leclerc

15:56 , Kieran Jackson

Lewis Hamilton pits, even though he says his tyres are fine! Undercut threat from Fernando Alonso too high, apparently...

The Mercedes man comes out in seventh; Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll also pits, he’s in eighth.

Sainz also set to come in...

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: LAP 30/57 - TOP-3: Verstappen, Perez, Leclerc

15:54 , Kieran Jackson

Verstappen in cruise control as he targets his first win at the Bahrain Grand Prix! He does need to pit again as he’s only used soft tyres - but so will everybody else!

His gap to Perez (who also has only used softs) is 13 seconds, with Leclerc six seconds further back.

4-10: Sainz, Hamilton, Alonso, Russell, Stroll, Sargeant, Zhou

Meanwhile, Esteban Ocon gets another five-second penalty. That’s 20 seconds of penalties in total today!

Lando Norris in for his third pit stop - amazing they haven’t retired the car yet! He’s down in 19th...

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: LAP 27/57 - TOP-3: Verstappen, Perez, Leclerc

15:50 , Kieran Jackson

Lewis Hamilton enquiring what approach to take and - after focusing on good tyre management - he’s then told to push by his engineer Peter Bonnington!

He is 3.7 seconds behind Carlos Sainz in fourth, and 1.8 seconds ahead of Fernando Alonso!

As for Esteban Ocon? He has a THIRD penalty! He had a 10-second penalty for not serving his five-second penalty right - and now he’s been noted for speeding in the pit lane! Almost comical for the Frenchman! He’s down in 18th...

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: LAP 26/57 - TOP-3: Verstappen, Perez, Leclerc

15:47 , Kieran Jackson

Sergio Perez has the pace advantage and dives down the inside of turn 1 - and makes the pass on Charles Leclerc!

The Red Bull still has the DRS heading down into turn 4 so maintains his position!

We’re back to Red Bull one-two!

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: LAP 25/57 - TOP-3: Verstappen, Leclerc, Perez

15:46 , Kieran Jackson

Tell you what, the gap between the top-five is already huge!

Max Verstappen has a gap of 11 seconds to Charles Leclerc, while Sergio Perez is four-tenths down behind Leclerc! Can the Red Bull get past the Ferrari?!

Then, it’s 13 seconds to Carlos Sainz in fourth, who is four seconds ahead of Lewis Hamilton. Fernando Alonso is in sixth, two sconds behind Hamilton.

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: LAP 24/57 - TOP-3: Verstappen, Leclerc, Perez

15:41 , Kieran Jackson

Bad to worse for Esteban Ocon! Not only did he get a five-second penalty for being over his grid box... the Alpine driver hasn’t served his penalty correctly! They started working on the car before the five seconds were up!

Another penalty! Ocon down in 18th, with only Norris behind him!

At the front - Verstappen still 10 seconds ahead of Leclerc, though the Ferrari showing good pace on hards compared to Verstappen’s softs.

4-10: Sainz, Hamilton, Alonso, Russell, Stroll, Bottas, Albon

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: LAP 20/57 - TOP-3: Verstappen, Leclerc, Perez

15:36 , Kieran Jackson

It’s looking like a nightmare day for McLaren! Lando Norris has had a second stop, 12 seconds, and is down to 19th.

He also has an engine issue - can he keep going?!

Oh dear oh dear...

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: LAP 18/57 - TOP-3: Verstappen, Leclerc, Perez

15:34 , Kieran Jackson

Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll both pit - and so the usual pre-pit stop order is largely restored!

Max Verstappen leads and his gap to Charles Leclerc in second? 10 seconds!

Top-10: Verstappen, Leclerc, Perez, Sainz, Hamilton, Alonso, Russell, Bottas, Stroll, Albon

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: LAP 17/57 - TOP-3: Verstappen, Perez, Alonso

15:31 , Kieran Jackson

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: LAP 16/57 - TOP-3: Perez, Verstappen, Stroll

15:29 , Kieran Jackson

Max Verstappen pits - and switches to softs! He’s down to P2, behind Sergio Perez.

Fernando Alonso also comes in, and he’s down to eighth - on hard tyres.

Top-10: Perez, Verstappen, Stroll, Leclerc, Sainz, Hamilton, Bottas, Alonso, Russelll, Magnussen

Meanwhile, it’s confirmed - Oscar Piastri is OUT! Electrical issue...

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: LAP 15/57 - TOP-3: Verstappen, Perez, Alonso

15:28 , Kieran Jackson

Pit stops galore!

Ferrari double-stack - rapid pair of stops - and Charles Leclerc comes out in fifth, with Sainz in sixth!

George Russell also pits - slow stop! Russell now down to 10th...

Meanwhile. Oscar Piastri’s first race might be over! They wanted to swap the steering wheel, but his engine has switched off!

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: LAP 13/57 - TOP-3: Verstappen, Leclerc, Perez

15:26 , Kieran Jackson

Fernando Alonso looks to pass George Russell - and does it into turn 4!

Russell fights valiantly but eventually he has to concede! Good racing there, very fair from both men!

Alonso is up to fifth - because Lewis Hamilton pits! He’s down to eighth now... hard tyre on!

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: LAP 12/57 - TOP-3: Verstappen, Leclerc, Perez

15:24 , Kieran Jackson

Fernando Alonso is right on the back of George Russell in his rapid Aston Martin!

Russell: “Tyres are gone, we have to think about boxing!”

Meercedes holding off for now though...

Meanwhile, race stewards note Esteban Ocon - in ninth - was not in the right position in his grid.

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: LAP 12/57 - TOP-3: Verstappen, Leclerc, Perez

15:22 , Kieran Jackson

Not all plain-sailing actually for Verstappen,: “Downshifts are giving me a bit of rear locking,” he says.

Told to go to strat 8 by his engineer.

Pierre Gasly - who started 20th for Alpine - the first man to dive into the pits. He’s put on the hard compound tyres.

Meanwhile, Lando Norris has an engine problem in his McLaren! An early pit stop too...

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: LAP 10/57 - TOP-3: Verstappen, Leclerc, Perez

15:19 , Kieran Jackson

Russell over team radio: “Is Lewis struggling or managing? I feel like I’ve got more pace.”

The response: “Struggling, struggling.”

Russell right on his team-mate’s heels in the battle for fifth.

At the front, Verstappen in cruise control already: he has set the fastest lap and is six seconds ahead of Leclerc, who is told “PLAN A” by his pit wall!

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: LAP 7/57 - TOP-3: Verstappen, Leclerc, Perez

15:15 , Kieran Jackson

While Verstappen stretches his lead to Leclerc to near five seconds, Perez is within DRS range of Leclerc at 0.5 seconds!

How’re the Mercedes boys doing? Lewis Hamilton - up two places to fifth - 1.7 seconds behind Carlos Sainz in fourth, while George Russell is within DRS range of his team-mate Hamilton!

7-10: Alonso, Stroll, Bottas, Ocon

11-15: Albon, Norris, Sargeant, Tsunoda, Hulkenberg

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: LAP 5/57 - TOP-3: Verstappen, Leclerc, Perez

15:12 , Kieran Jackson

Verstappen’s lead to Leclerc is ALREADY 3.4 seconds! Leclerc maybe managing his tyres already...

Perez 1.1 seconds further back... as Stroll overtakes Bottas to get up to eighth! Nice move down the inside of turn 1!

Top-10: Verstappen, Leclerc, Perez, Sainz, Hamilton, Russell, Alonso, Stroll, Bottas, Ocon

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: LAP 2/57 - TOP-3: Verstappen, Leclerc, Perez

15:08 , Kieran Jackson

They’re all cleanly around on the first lap!

Replays show Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll was far too quick into turn 4 - and bumped into his team-mate Fernando Alonso!

Alonso down to P7.

Valtteri Bottas has made up four places and is in eighth, while Nico Hulkenberg is down from 10th to 14th.

Verstappen already two seconds ahead of Leclerc - no DRS available for the Ferrari then!

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: LIGHTS OUT!

15:06 , Kieran Jackson

We’re away with Formula 1 in 2023! Max Verstappen leads out of turn 2 but Charles Leclerc has overtaken Sergio Perez round the outside!

The two Aston Martins touched - Fernando Alonso has gone way back!

Looks like Verstappen from Leclerc to Perez, with Sainz in fourth.

Lewis Hamilton looks to be in fifth - above his team-mate George Russell!

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: Formation laps!

15:00 , Kieran Jackson

We’re underway with the formation laps at the Bahrain International Circuit as Max Verstappen leads the pack of 20 cars away around the circuit to get their tyres warm!

Who will lead going down into turn one?!

Could Fernando Alonso make up some places in his speedy Aston Martin from P5?! And what about the Mercedes boys in sixth and seventh?!

Every car - aside from Kevin Magnussen in 17th - is on the soft tyre.

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: Verstappen on pole

14:59 , Kieran Jackson

Max Verstappen won 15 out of 22 races last year but he’s never won the Bahrain Grand Prix - can he change that this afternoon?

He starts P1, with Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez in second. Could there a team-mate battle into the first corner?

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: STARTING GRID

14:58 , Kieran Jackson

A reminder of the starting grid for today’s race:

1) Max Verstappen

2) Sergio Perez

3) Charles Leclerc

4) Carlos Sainz

5) Fernando Alonso

6) George Russell

7) Lewis Hamilton

8) Lance Stroll

9) Esteban Ocon

10) Nico Hulkenberg

11) Lando Norris

12) Valtteri Bottas

13) Zhou Guanyu

14) Yuki Tsunoda

15) Alex Albon

16) Logan Sargeant

17) Kevin Magnussen

18) Oscar Piastri

19) Nyck de Vries

20) Pierre Gasly

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: Opening titles!

14:56 , Kieran Jackson

Here’s the making of the opening F1 titles for 2023!

Fascinating behind-the-scenes coverage!

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton’s one-word answer reveals intent over F1 future

14:55 , Kieran Jackson

Lewis Hamilton has confirmed he will remain in F1 until he has won an eighth world title.

The Mercedes driver took part in a lie detector test before the 2023 season-opener at the Bahrain Grand Prix. Tasked with answering a series of questions with Sky Sports’ Simon Lazenby, Hamilton was pushed on whether he will stay in the sport until he has claimed another title.

Should the 38-year-old win another drivers’ championship, he would surpass Michael Schumacher as the most decorated driver in the sport’s history, though the early signs are not promising, at least for Bahrain this weekend.

After Lazenby’s question, Hamilton can be seen pausing to consider his answer, then responding with real conviction: “Yes.” The answer is then confirmed as being truthful.

Lewis Hamilton’s one-word answer reveals intent over F1 future

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: Lando Norris, speaking to Sky:

14:53 , Kieran Jackson

“New car is in the middle. Not as good as we would like, better than last place. We have some good opportunities to score some points, that’s my goal.

“Q3 was a stretch. We can race the people around, racepace is a bit better than our quali pace I hope. I don’t think anything was ever as bad as people were saying in the media but today’s the day to prove it.

“It’s easy to make mistakes. Too easy to make little mistakes, lock-ups, life is difficult but it is still reasonably quick.”

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix; Christian Horner, speaking on Martin Brundle’s grid walk:

14:51 , Kieran Jackson

“We don’t know the competitivenss of everyone else. We never get too sucked into testing times. We have a good car, Ferrari are in better shape than last week.

“We don’t know where Mercedes or Fernando is, so hopefully we’ll have a great race!”

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: Toto Wolff, speaking on Martin Brundle’s grid walk:

14:48 , Kieran Jackson

“We are critical and transparent with each other, we wanted more performance. We have to dig deep now.

“Lewis needs a winning car, we need a winning car, there’ll be no problems there.”

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: Lawrence Stroll, Aston Martin team owner:

14:44 , Kieran Jackson

“Very much looking forward to it, big step with the car. Heroic job from Lance to get out there. Very excited and nervous.

“He did a full race simulation on Wednesday, same load.”

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: Jeremy Clarkson, speaking on Martin Brundle’s grid walk:

14:44 , Kieran Jackson

“It’s so fantastic to be back. I adore Formula 1, it was infuriating for years but the aerodynamics are so much better. I can’t believe how big the cars have got.

“I’m fizzing with excitement. I like Alfa Romeo, Alpine are my local team in Chipping Norton. I’m friends with a bunch of friends at Red Bull.

“Verstappen will win the race! It’s who will finish second!

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, speaking to Sky:

14:39 , Kieran Jackson

”I think in terms of driving the car, I’m getting more and more comfortable. The race specific stuff, I haven’t done for 18 months now, but it’ll get a little bit getting used to.

“It’s super special to be on the grid, we’ve worked towards this since we were little, a lot of dedication, moved to the other side of the world at 14.

“I’m glad that everything that happened last year is over and happy I’m here with McLaren, a team which is super happy to have me on board.

“I want to enjoy it, it’s a pretty special opportunity and learn as much as I can - learn and improve and then the results will follow.”

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: Nico Rosberg, on Toto Wolff’s admission that they will ditch their F1 car

14:35 , Kieran Jackson

2016 world champion Rosberg on Mercedes: “It’s been a build-up from testing, they did make progress for qualifying - only four or five-tenths.

“Toto seemed to jump to a very extreme conclusion so yeah very difficult for them.”

ICYMI, here’s Wolff’s admission:

Mercedes to ditch this season’s car as Toto Wolff makes frank F1 title admission

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: The 2023 Drivers photo!

14:30 , Kieran Jackson

Here’s the shot of the full grid on the home straight in Bahrain!

Three new faces on the grid in McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, AlphaTauri’s Nyck de Vries and Williams’ Logan Sargeant.

Pierre Gasly has moved from AlphaTauri to Alpine while Fernando Alonso - starting P5 - switched to Aston Martin from Alpine!

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: Reconnaissance laps!

14:27 , Kieran Jackson

The cars are out at the end of the pit lane doing some practice starts as they go on their reconnaissance laps around the Bahrain International Circuit!

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton, speaking at the drivers parade:

14:24 , Kieran Jackson

“Really excited, I'm happy to be here, grateful for another year and another opportunity to work with the team, I really do loving at this track, it's a good opener.

“We have a bigger crowd than we usually do. I'm hoping we can stay in some sort of fight with somebody. Fernando and the Ferraris, the Red Bulls will be long gone.

“From that perspective it won't be that exciting, but the three teams behind, it'll be a good battle.”

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: Leclerc takes a new battery!

14:18 , Kieran Jackson

Charles Leclerc is taking a new battery in his Ferrari - in just the first race of the season!

Only two are allowed for the entire season - so any more from here on and Leclerc will have a grid penalty.

The Monegasque starts P3 today.

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: STARTING GRID

14:12 , Kieran Jackson

Here’s the starting grid for today’s race:

1) Max Verstappen

2) Sergio Perez

3) Charles Leclerc

4) Carlos Sainz

5) Fernando Alonso

6) George Russell

7) Lewis Hamilton

8) Lance Stroll

9) Esteban Ocon

10) Nico Hulkenberg

11) Lando Norris

12) Valtteri Bottas

13) Zhou Guanyu

14) Yuki Tsunoda

15) Alex Albon

16) Logan Sargeant

17) Kevin Magnussen

18) Oscar Piastri

19) Nyck de Vries

20) Pierre Gasly

14:05 , Kieran Jackson

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: Charles Leclerc, speaking to Sky:

13:59 , Kieran Jackson

“Our objective this year is to challenge for the World Championship and to win it.

“I feel we’re on the back foot for the race which is why we decided to save some soft tyres. A 1-2 would be a surprise, especially after testing, everyone said we’d been sandbagging - we were actually struggling.

“I’m sure there’s much more potential in the car, we just need to unlock it.”

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: What makes Drive to Survive star Guenther Steiner tick?

13:56 , Kieran Jackson

Exclusive interview by Kieran Jackson

When Netflix first premiered Drive to Survive in 2019, an attempt by Formula 1’s new owners Liberty to broaden the sport’s murky horizon, the onus was on your Hamiltons, your Vettels and your Verstappens to haul in that untapped audience. Like any serial drama, you need a protagonist. But there can only be one star of the show.

Little did people think it’d be Guenther Steiner.

“It’s all about the underdog story,” the 57-year-old tells The Independent, when asked why the Haas-centred episodes have the viewers at peak excitement upon the release of each show. A show, he is eager to add, he does not watch.

More below:

Guenther Steiner interview: What makes star of Drive to Survive tick?

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: Drivers parade!

13:50 , Kieran Jackson

The drivers are out in force at the drivers parade at the Bahrain International Circuit!

What was Fernando saying to Checo I wonder? “Don’t stall down into turn one!”

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: F1 2023 season predictions - World champion, surprise star, best race and more

13:44 , Kieran Jackson

The 2023 F1 season gets underway this weekend with the Bahrain Grand Prix the first of a record 23 races this year.

Max Verstappen is the favourite after his runaway success last year, while both Ferrari and Mercedes will be hoping to haul in the hefty deficit to Red Bull in 2023.

There are three rookies this year – in Oscar Piastri, Nyck de Vries and Logan Sargeant – as well as a new race in Las Vegas, the penultimate meet of the season which ends in Abu Dhabi on 26 November.

Here are some season predictions from Formula 1 Correspondent Kieran Jackson - do you agree?

F1 2023 season predictions: World champion, surprise star, best race and more

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: BREAKING NEWS

13:34 , Kieran Jackson

Charles Leclerc is taking a new battery in his Ferrari - in just the first race of the season!

Only two are allowed for the entire season - so any more from here on and Leclerc will have a grid penalty.

The Monegasque starts P3 today.

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: Mercedes to ditch this season’s car as Toto Wolff makes frank F1 title admission

13:29 , Kieran Jackson

Toto Wolff has revealed that Mercedes will ditch this season’s car before a race has even taken place.

Defending champion Max Verstappen picked up where he left off to take pole position for Sunday’s Bahrain Grand Prix, with Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez joining him on the front row.

Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz will start third and fourth for Ferrari, while Fernando Alonso took fifth spot for Aston Martin. But George Russell and Lewis Hamilton will start only sixth and seventh respectively as the Mercedes men finished more than six tenths behind Verstappen.

On Friday, a gloomy Hamilton said his team are on the “wrong track”, had fallen further behind his rivals and questioned whether Mercedes’ concept will allow him to compete for a record eighth world championship.

And 24 hours later, team principal Wolff remarkably conceded that the Silver Arrows, the constructor which once dominated the sport, will have to abandon their controversial zero-sidepod concept in order to challenge again.

“I don’t think that this package is going to be competitive eventually,” said Wolff.

More below:

Mercedes to ditch this season’s car as Toto Wolff makes frank F1 title admission

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton has arrived at the track!

13:22 , Kieran Jackson

The seven-time world champion is a five-time winner in Bahrain but he’ll do well to add to his tally today - he starts P7 today!

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: 2023 SEASON PREVIEW - Max Verstappen and his quest for No 3, Aston’s renaissance and what about Mercedes?

13:14 , Kieran Jackson

By Kieran Jackson

For a brief moment – perhaps as much as a day as practice dissolved into qualifying – there were flickers of hope for the rest of the pack. Much-needed hope, too, for the spectacle of the contest for Formula One heading into 2023. Not only did it look like irrepressible world champions Red Bull, utterly dominant last year, could be hauled in, it looked like there could be a new team to join the big boys at the front. In British racing green to boot.

Aston Martin, spearheaded by two-time world champion Fernando Alonso, were the success story of last week’s pre-season test and look to have leapfrogged to the front of the midfield – and maybe even further. Alonso, 41, had dreams of a spectacular pole position as well after posting the quickest time in two out of three practice sessions at the Bahrain International Circuit.

Ultimately though, when push came to shove in the latter stages of qualifying, Red Bull’s hegemonic label bore fruit. Max Verstappen, chasing a third world title in a row, put his car on pole with teammate Sergio Perez locking out the front row alongside him.

Order restored. The gap was 0.138 seconds between Verstappen and Perez. Not a mammoth margin, but enough to represent the difference in quality between the pair. Qualifying, overall, gave us the first inclinations of where each team is and – all in all – it’s largely as expected.

Christian Horner’s Red Bull are, unquestionably, the team to beat. The Milton Keynes-based team won 17 of 22 races last year. Verstappen was top of the podium on 15 occasions; an all-time record. Mastered by chief designer Adrian Newey, this breed of Red Bull car is quicker and more reliable than the rest. No car is quicker in a straight line.

F1 2023 season preview: Can anybody stop Max Verstappen in his quest for title No 3?

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: BREAKING NEWS

13:10 , Kieran Jackson

Charles Leclerc is taking a new battery in his Ferrari - in just the first race of the season!

Only two are allowed for the entire season - so any more from here on and Leclerc will have a grid penalty.

The Monegasque starts P3 today.

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: Good afternoon!

13:06 , Kieran Jackson

Welcome to live coverage of the Bahrain Grand Prix with The Independent as Max Verstappen starts on pole for the first race of the 2023 Formula 1 season.

Red Bull have locked out the front row with Sergio Perez in second, while it’s Ferrari in third and fourth with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz respectively.

Fernando Alonso is in fifth for the impressive Aston Martin, with the Mercedes pair of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton sixth and seventh.

Lights out is at 3pm (GMT) - stay right here for all the build-up until then!

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: STARTING GRID

12:58 , Kieran Jackson

Here’s the starting grid for today’s race:

1) Max Verstappen

2) Sergio Perez

3) Charles Leclerc

4) Carlos Sainz

5) Fernando Alonso

6) George Russell

7) Lewis Hamilton

8) Lance Stroll

9) Esteban Ocon

10) Nico Hulkenberg

11) Lando Norris

12) Valtteri Bottas

13) Zhou Guanyu

14) Yuki Tsunoda

15) Alex Albon

16) Logan Sargeant

17) Kevin Magnussen

18) Oscar Piastri

19) Nyck de Vries

20) Pierre Gasly

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: Max Verstappen, speaking to Sky Sports...

12:52 , Kieran Jackson

Surprised at pole Max? Really?

Most of us weren’t!

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: Mercedes to ditch this season’s car as Toto Wolff makes frank F1 title admission

12:41 , Kieran Jackson

Toto Wolff has revealed that Mercedes will ditch this season’s car before a race has even taken place.

Defending champion Max Verstappen picked up where he left off to take pole position for Sunday’s Bahrain Grand Prix, with Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez joining him on the front row.

Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz will start third and fourth for Ferrari, while Fernando Alonso took fifth spot for Aston Martin. But George Russell and Lewis Hamilton will start only sixth and seventh respectively as the Mercedes men finished more than six tenths behind Verstappen.

On Friday, a gloomy Hamilton said his team are on the “wrong track”, had fallen further behind his rivals and questioned whether Mercedes’ concept will allow him to compete for a record eighth world championship.

And 24 hours later, team principal Wolff remarkably conceded that the Silver Arrows, the constructor which once dominated the sport, will have to abandon their controversial zero-sidepod concept in order to challenge again.

“I don’t think that this package is going to be competitive eventually,” said Wolff.

More below:

Mercedes to ditch this season’s car as Toto Wolff makes frank F1 title admission

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton is in the shape of his life – but will it all be in vain?

12:29 , Kieran Jackson

By Kieran Jackson

Did you spot it? That little glimpse of time.

A snippet when Lewis Hamilton was hopeful, maybe even anticipative that his fate – number eight – could be conquered in 2023. A new all-black livery unveiled, eliciting rosy memories preceding last year’s horror-show, and a fresh start after a hopeless, winless season to forget.

That was before Hamilton squeezed himself in to the Mercedes W14 car for the first time at Silverstone on launch day in February. A simple shakedown. But straight away, hope faded.

“I knew from the moment I drove the car where we were and the challenges we were facing,” Hamilton stated – with an honesty like a dagger to his 2023 title hopes – on Thursday in Bahrain.

And that was it. Three months since he retired late on in Abu Dhabi, the final race of 2022. Three months of focus away from the track. Three months of hard yards. Three months… all for another year of nothingness?

That’s the prospect heading into this season. Throughout the winter, Hamilton chronicled his off-season in fleeting social media posts, much to the delight of a joyous fanbase starved of such content a year earlier, during Hamilton’s social media abyss post-Abu Dhabi 2021.

Lewis Hamilton is in the shape of his life – but will it all be in vain?

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix

12:12 , Kieran Jackson

This should get your juices flowing! Lights out in just under three hours!

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: What makes Drive to Survive star Guenther Steiner tick?

11:59 , Kieran Jackson

Exclusive interview by Kieran Jackson

When Netflix first premiered Drive to Survive in 2019, an attempt by Formula 1’s new owners Liberty to broaden the sport’s murky horizon, the onus was on your Hamiltons, your Vettels and your Verstappens to haul in that untapped audience. Like any serial drama, you need a protagonist. But there can only be one star of the show.

Little did people think it’d be Guenther Steiner.

“It’s all about the underdog story,” the 57-year-old tells The Independent, when asked why the Haas-centred episodes have the viewers at peak excitement upon the release of each show. A show, he is eager to add, he does not watch.

More below:

Guenther Steiner interview: What makes star of Drive to Survive tick?

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: George Russell...

11:45 , Kieran Jackson

“Yesterday was a shock for us. This is where we expected to be. Our goal over the winter was to have a car to build upon.

“We spent 3/4 of the year last year fixing problems. Now we have a car which feels nice to drive - we can just focus on downforce and performance. Definitely signs to be positive - but the stopwatch doesn’t lie we have a lot to improve.

“We’ve got a fight on our hands for P3; I’m relatively pleased to be not so far behind Ferrari and Alonso. He’s a dark horse, he had some really good racepace, a good fight for P3 - just a shame the Red Bulls are a bit too far ahead.”

The Mercedes driver starts P6 today.

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: Mercedes to ditch this season’s car as Toto Wolff makes frank F1 title admission

11:37 , Kieran Jackson

Toto Wolff has revealed that Mercedes will ditch this season’s car before a race has even taken place.

Defending champion Max Verstappen picked up where he left off to take pole position for Sunday’s Bahrain Grand Prix, with Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez joining him on the front row.

Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz will start third and fourth for Ferrari, while Fernando Alonso took fifth spot for Aston Martin. But George Russell and Lewis Hamilton will start only sixth and seventh respectively as the Mercedes men finished more than six tenths behind Verstappen.

On Friday, a gloomy Hamilton said his team are on the “wrong track”, had fallen further behind his rivals and questioned whether Mercedes’ concept will allow him to compete for a record eighth world championship. And 24 hours later, team principal Wolff remarkably conceded that the Silver Arrows, the constructor which once dominated the sport, will have to abandon their controversial zero-sidepod concept in order to challenge again.

“I don’t think that this package is going to be competitive eventually,” said Wolff.

More below:

Mercedes to ditch this season’s car as Toto Wolff makes frank F1 title admission

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: F1 2023 season predictions - World champion, surprise star, best race and more

11:30 , Kieran Jackson

The 2023 F1 season gets underway this weekend with the Bahrain Grand Prix the first of a record 23 races this year.

Max Verstappen is the favourite after his runaway success last year, while both Ferrari and Mercedes will be hoping to haul in the hefty deficit to Red Bull in 2023.

There are three rookies this year – in Oscar Piastri, Nyck de Vries and Logan Sargeant – as well as a new race in Las Vegas, the penultimate meet of the season which ends in Abu Dhabi on 26 November.

Here are some season predictions from Formula 1 Correspondent Kieran Jackson - do you agree?

F1 2023 season predictions: World champion, surprise star, best race and more

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: 2023 SEASON PREVIEW - Max Verstappen and his quest for No 3, Aston’s renaissance and what about Mercedes?

11:14 , Kieran Jackson

By Kieran Jackson

For a brief moment – perhaps as much as a day as practice dissolved into qualifying – there were flickers of hope for the rest of the pack. Much-needed hope, too, for the spectacle of the contest for Formula One heading into 2023. Not only did it look like irrepressible world champions Red Bull, utterly dominant last year, could be hauled in, it looked like there could be a new team to join the big boys at the front. In British racing green to boot.

Aston Martin, spearheaded by two-time world champion Fernando Alonso, were the success story of last week’s pre-season test and look to have leapfrogged to the front of the midfield – and maybe even further. Alonso, 41, had dreams of a spectacular pole position as well after posting the quickest time in two out of three practice sessions at the Bahrain International Circuit.

Ultimately though, when push came to shove in the latter stages of qualifying, Red Bull’s hegemonic label bore fruit. Max Verstappen, chasing a third world title in a row, put his car on pole with teammate Sergio Perez locking out the front row alongside him.

Order restored. The gap was 0.138 seconds between Verstappen and Perez. Not a mammoth margin, but enough to represent the difference in quality between the pair. Qualifying, overall, gave us the first inclinations of where each team is and – all in all – it’s largely as expected.

Christian Horner’s Red Bull are, unquestionably, the team to beat. The Milton Keynes-based team won 17 of 22 races last year. Verstappen was top of the podium on 15 occasions; an all-time record. Mastered by chief designer Adrian Newey, this breed of Red Bull car is quicker and more reliable than the rest. No car is quicker in a straight line.

F1 2023 season preview: Can anybody stop Max Verstappen in his quest for title No 3?

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: Max Verstappen takes pole at Bahrain Grand Prix but Lewis Hamilton down the order

10:57 , Kieran Jackson

Max Verstappen struck the first blow of the new Formula One season by securing pole position for the Bahrain Grand Prix.

The double world champion beat Sergio Perez as Red Bull locked out the front row by one tenth of a second with Charles Leclerc third for Ferrari.

Carlos Sainz finished fourth in the other scarlet car ahead of Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso. George Russell qualified sixth as Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton could manage only seventh.

Hamilton, 38, finished more than six tenths adrift of Verstappen as his fears that Mercedes have fallen further behind their rivals were played out under the thousand of bulbs that light up the Sakhir circuit.

But there were no such concerns for Verstappen as the pre-season favourite, who last year won 15 of the 22 races as he claimed his second consecutive world title, secured his 21st pole on his father Jos Verstappen’s 51st birthday.

Max Verstappen takes pole position for first race of F1 season in Bahrain

Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website