Max P2 in first practice of the Sakhir GP

Published on 04 December 2020 by Stefan Meens

Max Verstappen was second quickest in the opening session of the Sakhir Grand Prix. The event is held on a different configuration of the Bahrain International Circuit and is characterised by long straight and only a few corners.

Quickest in FP1 was George Russell, who replaces Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes this weekend, following the World Champion’s positive covid-19 test. Max’ Aston Martin Red Bull Racing team-mate Alex Albon complete the top three.

Russell is not the only driver driving a new car. His Williams seat is filled by F2 driver Jack Aitken. Meanwhile, Pietro Fittipaldi is occupying Romain Grosjean’s car at Haas, with the Frenchman still recovering from his horror crash on the opening lap of the Bahrain GP.

 At the start of the session, we see the usual flurry of installation laps and it takes a while before the first lap times are clocked.

Max Verstappen fans have to wait almost half an hour before any indication of the Dutchman’s pace. When he does take to the track, he does so on the soft Pirelli tyre compound, on which he secures P2 on his first attempt.

With half an hour to go, Max heads out on a new set of soft Pirellis and he joins the two Mercedes and his team-mate at the top of the timing sheets.

In the end, George Russell enjoys a strong first session for Mercedes, outpacing both Max and Bottas to take P1.

Contest GP Sakhir: win a Max Verstappen RB12 Japan 1:43 scale model!

Results first free practice Sakhir: