formula 1
Sainz’s best time before the opening qualifying in Bahrain
Carlos Sainz races around the track in a Ferrari. photo
© Hasan Bratic/dpa
Max Verstappen again doesn’t set the fastest lap before the start of the season in Bahrain. This time a Ferrari takes first place in training.
Carlos Sainz has in Ferrari set the best training time before the opening qualifying of the Formula 1 season.
The 29-year-old Spaniard, who has to vacate his Scuderia cockpit for Lewis Hamilton after this season, relegated Fernando Alonso from Spain to second place in the Aston Martin in the third free practice session. Third place went to defending champion and three-time world champion Max Verstappen from the Netherlands in the Red Bull. Charles Leclerc came fourth in the second Ferrari.
Mercedes driver Hamilton, who was fastest on Thursday, only came twelfth in the one-hour session in the afternoon. The only German regular driver, Nico Hülkenberg in the Haas, also made it to ninth place, ahead of the seven-time world champion from England. Qualification begins at 5 p.m. CET (Sky and RTL). The race will start on Saturday in consideration of the upcoming Islamic fasting month of Ramadan.