Fernando Alonso (ESP) Aston Martin F1 Team AMR23. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain,
Fernando Alonso (ESP) Aston Martin F1 Team AMR23. Formula 1 World…

How qualifying for the 2023 F1 Bahrain Grand Prix unfolded

A recap of how qualifying for the 2023 F1 Bahrain Grand Prix unfolded as Max Verstappen claimed pole position.

Follow all the action from Bahrain, including the latest paddock reaction, here with Crash.net

 

12:19
Hamilton goes quickest

Another good lap from Hamilton puts him top with a 1m32.555s, 0.176s ahead of Russell.

12:14
Stroll takes to the top

On his new softs, Stroll goes 0.2s clear of Alonso at the top of the timesheets.

12:09
Only four cars on track

Sainz, Leclerc, Hulkenberg and Magnussen

12:02
Verstappen team radio

"I have no grip, no grip."

12:01
Order with 30 minutes to go

Alonso, Hamilton, Sainz, Leclerc, Verstappen, Ocon, Bottas, Gasly, Albon and Perez.

12:00
On track in FP3

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

11:56
Current top 10

Alonso, Hamilton, Sainz, Leclerc, Verstappen, Ocon, Bottas, Albon, Perez and Piastri.

11:55
A mighty lap

Verstappen goes fifth on the hards, 0.5s off.

Very strong lap considering the time delta between the hards and the softs.

11:54
Red Bulls are on the hards

An unusual run plan.

11:53
Alonso goes clear

He's 0.3s ahead of Hamilton on the softs.

Further confirmation of Aston Martin's pace in Bahrain.

11:52
Eyes on Alonso

He goes quickest in the first sector.

11:51
Good laps from the Alfas

Bottas and Zhou slot into fifth and sixth respectively.

Ocon goes fourth now ahead of them for Alpine. 

11:48
Stroll's first lap

Stroll slots into fifth, 0.6s down on Hamilton.

Looked to be a scrappy lap from the Aston Martin.

11:46
Sainz slots into P2

Sainz goes second, less than tenth off Hamilton.

11:43
Leclerc goes P2

He's just 0.066s behind Hamilton after running on the softs.

11:43
Hamilton goes clear

Hamilton beats Russell by nearly 0.6s to go quickest of all.

Leclerc is on course to take P1, though.

11:41
Both Mercs are on track

Hamilton and Russell are out there on the softs.

11:39
10 minutes in

Norris is on top with a 1m34.633s, 1.5s ahead of Hulkenberg.

11:36
The reigning champion

Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Qualifying
Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1,…

11:33
A slow start

Norris is the only driver out on track.

11:32
Final practice is underway

FP3 is now underway. 60 minutes of more running.

11:26
Not long to go

Final practice kicks off in just over three minutes!

10:53
El Plan

Fernando Alonso (ESP) Aston Martin F1 Team. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain,
Fernando Alonso (ESP) Aston Martin F1 Team. Formula 1 World Championship,…

10:48
Things don't look good for Mercedes

More from Hamilton on their struggles...

Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1 W14. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain,
Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1 W14. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd…

10:47
Watch, like and subscribe!

Remote video URL

Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter

Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox