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United States F1 Bahrain GP 2024 LIVE: Qualifying updates, times and results at ...
Christian Horner: Red Bull F1 boss cleared after investigation into inappropriate behaviour
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The first grand prix of Formula 1’s 2024 season continues today with free practice three and qualifying ahead of Saturday’s race with the noise surrounding Christian Horner refusing to fade.
Thursday’s action in Bahrain, with the Grand Prix set for Saturday, saw an unexpectedly quick run from RB’s Daniel Ricciardo who topped FP1 on a set of soft tyres before Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton went fastest in FP2. The Brit was a touch under half-a-second quicker than Max Verstappen as Red Bull seemingly struggled to find their pace.
The seven-time world champion led a Mercedes one-two at the Sakhir Circuit as George Russell finished just behind Hamilton with Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso third and Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari in fourth. Verstappen finished sixth, though there are rumours that Red Bull are hiding the true pace of the car.
Elsewhere, Christian Horner drew the media’s attention after Whatsapps allegedly sent by him to a female colleague were leaked to the press, in what could be an embarrassing development for the Red Bull team principal who had previous been investigated and cleared over alleged ’inappropriate behaviour’.
Follow updates from the Bahrain Grand Prix with The Independent:
F1 Bahrain Grand Prix 2024 LIVE
- Max Verstappen on pole for the Bahrain Grand Prix; Leclerc 2nd; Russell 3rd
- Daniel Ricciardo knocked out in Q2, also out: Tsunoda, Stroll, Albon, Magnussen
- Pierre Gasly knocked out in Q1, also out: Bottas, Zhou, Sargeant, Ocon
- Carlos Sainz quickest in third practice; Alonso 2nd; Verstappen 3rd
- SEASON PREDICTIONS: World champion, biggest shock, and who will replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes?
- Lewis Hamilton was quickest in second practice on Thursday; Russell 2nd; Alonso 3rd
- Christian Horner - latest: Red Bull F1 boss in paddock after texts allegedly leaked
F1 Bahrain Grand Prix qualifying: TOP-10
1. Max Verstappen
2. Charles Leclerc
3. George Russell
4. Carlos Sainz
5. Sergio Perez
6. Fernando Alonso
7. Lando Norris
8. Oscar Piastri
9. Lewis Hamilton
10. Nico Hulkenberg
Kieran Jackson1 March 2024 17:09
F1 Bahrain Grand Prix qualifying: Max Verstappen
“I think we did very well in that qualifying, we made the most of it!”
Kieran Jackson1 March 2024 17:04
F1 Bahrain Grand Prix qualifying: Max Verstappen on pole position!
It’s Max once again!
Verstappen improves to set a 1:29:179, 0.228 secs quicker than Charles Leclerc in second.
George Russell does brilliantly to get up to P3 - three-tenths off - with Carlos Sainz in fourth.
5-10: Perez, Alonso, Norris, Piastri, Hamilton, Hulkenberg
Kieran Jackson1 March 2024 17:03
F1 Bahrain Grand Prix qualifying: Fernando Alonso up to third!
Provisional P3 for Fernando Alonso - 0.121 secs off Max Verstappen on provisional pole.
Solid lap. Where will he be by the end?
All nine other cars coming out on track now for their second runs - this is it! Two minutes left...
Kieran Jackson1 March 2024 16:59
F1 Bahrain Grand Prix qualifying: Fernando Alonso did not set a lap
The Spaniard did not bother!
Instead, it looks like he’ll set a lap - with the track to himself - right now on a new set of soft tyres....
Kieran Jackson1 March 2024 16:55
F1 Bahrain Grand Prix qualifying: Max Verstappen top after first set of runs in Q3!
But only just!
Max Verstappen top with a 1:29:421 - only 0.059 secs faster than Charles Leclerc, who was on used soft tyres!
George Russell P3, 0.182 secs behind Verstappen, with Carlos Sainz in fourth - within two-tenths of Verstappen. Oh it’s close!
5-10: Norris, Perez, Hamilton, Hulkenberg, Piastri, Alonso
They’ll all re-group in the garage before the finale! Six minutes left...
Kieran Jackson1 March 2024 16:54
F1 Bahrain Grand Prix qualifying: Nico Hulkenberg first car out on track
The Haas driver getting on with it, slowly followed by the rest of the field.
McLarens of Norris and Piastri on used set of softs for the first run, as is Leclerc...
Kieran Jackson1 March 2024 16:50
F1 Bahrain Grand Prix qualifying: Q3 underway!
Here we go then!
12 minutes, 10 drivers, 1 pole position - who will be on top spot for the first race of the season?!
It’s definitely looking tight between Red Bull and Ferrari. Can anyone stop Max Verstappen?
10 drivers involved: Leclerc, Verstappen, Sainz, Hamilton, Alonso, Hulkenberg, Russell, Perez, Norris, Piastri
Kieran Jackson1 March 2024 16:49
F1 Bahrain Grand Prix qualifying: Daniel Ricciardo is out in Q2!
It was hairy - again! - for both Mercedes cars, who go up from the bottom-five at the last moment, into the top-10.
It means Lance Stroll and Yuki Tsunoda miss out at the death!
And what about Nico Hulkenberg for Haas - up in P6!
Bottom-five (11-15) and out in Q2: Tsunoda, Stroll, Albon, Ricciardo, Magnussen
Top-3: Leclerc, Verstappen, Sainz. Game on between Ferrari and Red Bull.
Time for Q3!
(Getty Images)
Kieran Jackson1 March 2024 16:43
F1 Bahrain Grand Prix qualifying: Cars queuing in the pit lane
Leclerc: “The guys in front of Carlos are stopping, we are not allowed to stop usually.”
We had this farce a lot last year... just get on with it guys!
All the field heading out for their second flying lap... three minutes left of Q2....
Kieran Jackson1 March 2024 16:37
