Max Verstappen (NLD), Red
Max Verstappen (NLD), Red

How the 2023 F1 Bahrain Grand Prix unfolded

The 2023 F1 Bahrain Grand Prix is done and dusted!

Max Verstappen wins from pole position. Fernando Alonso sensationally overtakes Lewis Hamilton to claim a podium finish!

Follow all the reaction from Bahrain here with the Crash.net live blog.

15:56
More pit stops

Russell responds to Stroll's undercut attempt.

The Canadian gets ahead through into Turn 4. Great stuff from Aston Martin!

15:56
Ocon's night to forget so far

- Under investigation for inaccurate grid position

- 5-second penalty 

- Under investigation for serving time penalty incorrectly 

- 10-second time penalty

- Under investigation for speeding in the pits

- 5-second penalty

Esteban Ocon (FRA) Alpine F1 Team. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Qualifying
Esteban Ocon (FRA) Alpine F1 Team. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1,…

15:54
Pit stops

Hamilton and Stroll pit for new hards. 

Mercedes are worried about Alonso.

15:52
Lap 30/57

Verstappen, Perez, Leclerc, Sainz, Hamilton, Alonso, Russell, Stroll, Bottas and Sargeant.

15:52
Hamilton told he can push

Mercedes are happy with Hamilton's tyre management and have told the seven-time world champion he is free to push and try to pull clear of his old nemisis Alonso. 

Lewis Hamilton (GBR), Mercedes AMG F1 Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Qualifying
Lewis Hamilton (GBR), Mercedes AMG F1 Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1,…

15:50
Another one

Ocon gets a five-second time penalty for speeding. Disaster. 

15:49
Ocon under investigation AGAIN

This time it's for speeding.

15:47
Alonso closing in on Hamilton

What year is this? A juicy battle awaits us with Alonso running 1.6s behind Hamilton for fifth.

15:46
Perez through to second

Perez makes lightwork of Leclerc into Turn 1 on Lap 26.

Crucially, Perez was behind at the DRS activation zone so he got DRS down the second straight.

15:45
Bad to worse for Ocon

Ocon has been handed a 10-second penalty, for failing to correctly serve a five-second time penalty.

15:43
The order on Lap 25

Verstappen, Leclerc, Perez, Sainz, Hamilton, Alonso, Russell, Stroll, Bottas, Albon, Tsunoda, Gasly, Sargeant, de Vriez, Zhou, Hulkenberg, Magnussen, Norris and Ocon.

Piastri is OUT.

15:43
Disaster for McLaren

McLaren are having a disastrous night so far in Bahrain. 

They've already lost Piastri to a suspected electrical issue and Norris is currently running in second from last place, having visited the pits a couple of times with some sort of power unit issue. 

Lando Norris (GBR) McLaren MCL60. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day
Lando Norris (GBR) McLaren MCL60. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1,…

15:40
Battle for P2

Perez is running 2.4s behind Leclerc at the moment.

Both Red Bulls are currently running on softs, while the majority of the field switched to hards.

15:38
Bad news for Ocon

Alpine are now investigation for "incorrectly serving a penalty". He will probably have to serve that five-second penalty again.

15:36
Bottas loses another place

The Finn loses out to Stroll now, who's in the quicker Aston Martin, for P8.

15:34
Order on Lap 19

Verstappen, Leclerc, Perez, Sainz, Hamilton, Alonso, Russell, Bottas, Stroll and Albon.

15:34
Piastri is out

The rookie's F1 debut is over after 14 laps. He pitted but a problem with his steering wheel means the McLaren driver is out.

Oscar Piastri (AUS) McLaren MCL60. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Qualifying
Oscar Piastri (AUS) McLaren MCL60. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1,…

15:33
Perez pits

Perez pits for softs and rejoins in third, just 3.8s behind Verstappen.

Russell also gets past Bottas into Turn 4, moving up to seventh.

15:32
Lap 17/57

Alonso makes lightwork of Bottas for sixth, who now has Russell for close company.

At the front of the field, Perez has yet to pit but Red Bull are getting ready for a stop.

15:30
Lap 1 shots

Sergio Perez (MEX) Red Bull Racing RB19. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Race
Sergio Perez (MEX) Red Bull Racing RB19. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd…

15:29
Lap 16/57

Alonso rejoins ahead of Russell - but both drivers have came out behind Bottas, who had pitted earlier in the Alfa Romeo.

15:28
Penalty for Ocon

Ocon has been handed a five-second time penalty for being in the "incorrect grid position" at the start.

15:27
Verstappen pits

It's softs for the Dutchman, rather than the hards.

Alonso also comes in for the white-marked hards.

15:27
Lap 14/57

Verstappen, Perez, Alonso, Stroll, Leclerc, Sainz, Hamilton, Bottas, Magnussen, Russell, Albon, Ocon, Tsunoda, Gasly, Sargeant, Norris, Hulkenberg, Zhou and Piastri.

15:26
Pit stops!

Hamilton has been in for hards just before Russell was overtaken by Alonso.

Leclerc also comes in for hards.

Both Red Bulls stay out.

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