Formula 1, on track for the first time in 2023: the best photos of the tests in Bahrain, with Verstappen in front

the Dutch Max Verstappen (Red Bull), double world champion, was the fastest in the morning session of the first days of training Formula 1 2023started on the Sakhir circuit (Bahrein), ahead of the Spaniard Charles Sainz (Ferrari).

Verstappen, who completed 71 laps on the Bahrain track, set the best time of 1:32.959, almost three tenths better than that of Sainz (1:33.253), while the Thai Alessandro Albano (Williams) set the third fastest time with 1:33.671.

The Madrid runner was fastest at the halfway point, but Verstappen responded with his best lap with 40 minutes to go.

The day got off to a daunting start for the new Spanish squad Fernando AlonsoAston Martin, when the car that the Brazilian started driving Philip Drugovichreserve driver who replaced the injured Lance Stroll, went off the track at turn 4 with an electronic problem, according to team boss Mike Krack, and forced the display of the red flag for 25 minutes, the only one of the session .

Then Drugovich, having solved the problem, rode without further modifications and completed 40 laps with a best time of 1:34.564, seventh in the morning. In the afternoon (local time), you will board Fernando Alonso’s vehicle.

The Chinese guanyu zhou (Alfa Romeo) obtained the fourth fastest time, 0.764 behind Verstappen and the Briton George Russell (Mercedes) fifth, at 1,215. the Australian Oscar Piastri and his McLaren was the slowest with a 1:34.888.

Haas introduced his VF-23 before training began. German Nico Hulkenberg he then finished sixth with a best lap of 1:34.424.

The second session, which they attended, will take place this afternoon in Bahrain Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris together with Verstappen, who will continue at the wheel of Red Bull.