Verstappen only a spectator: Norris takes first fastest time in Bahrain

Sponsored Ad

McLaren driver Lando Norris got off to a strong start to the race weekend at the Bahrain Grand Prix. In the first free practice session, the championship leader set the fastest time with 1:33.204 minutes. Behind him were Alpine's Pierre Gasly (+0.238) and record world champion Lewis Hamilton (+0.596), now driving for Ferrari. Reigning champion Max Verstappen, who is only one point behind Norris in the overall Formula 1 standings, did not take part in the first session.

The Dutchman had to give up his car to Red Bull junior driver Ayumu Iwasa. In total, six young drivers replaced regular drivers during the session. The 23-year-old Japanese driver completed his first laps in a Formula 1 practice session but finished second to last in the final classification (+2.271).

At Ferrari, Dino Beganovich (+1.851) made his debut in Charles Leclerc’s SF-25 and finished in 14th place. The other Friday drivers—Luke Browning (13th/Williams), Felipe Drugovich (16th/Aston Martin), Ryo Hirakawa (17th/Haas), and Frederik Vesti (18th/Mercedes)—had all previously taken part in at least one practice session, sometimes for different teams. Danish driver Vesti even received praise at the end from Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff. "You did a great job," the Austrian said over the radio.