Bahrain Doctor: Red Bull topped with Max Verstappen seals double in P2 ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris

An interesting, and close, start to Formula 1 2021 when Max Verstappen leads Lando Norris, Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz in the second practice for a Bahraini GP; Four teams split by 0.3p; Watch the final practice live on Sky F1 Saturday at 12pm, getting certified at 3pm

Max Verstappen confirmed Red Bull’s status as a serious threat to Mercedes by completing the controversial first day of Formula 1 2021, leading Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton in a second Bahrain GP practice.

In colder conditions at night that seem to be deserving of the race and the race, Verstappen backed up his fastest time from the opening session by blackening up the fastest softball in the race. day, 1: 30.847 in his new RB16B car – which has sustained an early 2021 Red Bull move in Sakhir.

Norris was within a tenth of a second for the Dutch as the impressive McLaren continue to look, at least, as a midfielder, with Hamilton leading Mercedes in third place, 0.235s off Verstappen signal.

There were also very promising signs for a competitive start to 2021 with four teams divided by 0.3s in P2 as Ferrari ‘s new signing Carlos Sainz, confidently for the most successful team at F1, was just behind Hamilton in fourth place.

“It’s a real dog fight,” Mercedes boss Toto Wolff told Sky F1. “When you take over the fastest levels and even the long stretches, it’s so close. Every kilogram could make a really big move.”

Although more representative than P1, the second use certainly does not guarantee a packing order for the weekend – as noted by Bottas and Perez finishing just fifth and 10th in the Mercedes and Another Red Bull – and Hamilton acknowledged that the world champions have “definitely” taken a step forward “compared to preseason tests.

But Verstappen has got his season off to a perfect start with a double Friday practice.

“I was happy enough but tomorrow is a different day,” Verstappen said. “Good start to the weekend.”

Hamilton said: “We thought Red Bull would be as fast as they are, if not faster, so we know they are in the lead right now.

“McLaren look really good and it’s good to see them taking the step. It will be interesting to see what the long runs are.”

McLaren a Bahrain threat? And who ended up where in the middle of the park

McLaren has certainly created one of the most exciting stories of the first day of F1 2021; not only are they the third fastest team in F1, but now much closer to both fronts.

Norris was third in the first practice and then just 0.095s off the fastest time of the afternoon session, with new teammate Daniel Ricciardo in a good position in the sixth as well.

The new Mercedes engines seem to be along with the team building move as a game.

“We’re looking smart today but I think it’s pretty obvious what ‘s going to happen tomorrow,” Norris asked, reducing McLaren’ s tea. there will be four standard front cars. Behind them it looks very close. The car feels good. “

Behind McLaren, AlphaTauri enjoyed a strong day with rookie duo Yuki Tsunoda and Pierre Gasly in the top-10, with Lance Stroll leading Aston Martin, beating Sebastian Vettel before four-tenths.

Esteban Ocon also led his world multiplayer teammate Fernando Alonso for Alpine.

Meanwhile, Alfa Romeo appear to have moved away from Williams and Haas in Bahrain ‘s packing order – although Kimi Raikkonen’s Turn Two crash was not the best time at the 41 – year – old.

Mick Schumacher was 18th for Haas, ahead of Nicholas Latifi and Nikita Mazepin.