Formula One F1 – Bahrain Grand Prix – Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain – March 3, 2023 Red Bull’s Sergio Perez during practice REUTERS/Nir Elias
MANAMA—Red Bull’s Sergio Perez set the pace in the first practice session of the Formula One season in Bahrain on Friday with Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso denying the champions a one-two on the timesheets.
Perez lapped the Sakhir circuit with a best time of one minute 32.758 seconds on soft tyres, 0.438 quicker than Spaniard Alonso, with reigning champion Max Verstappen third and a further two tenths slower.
Double world champion Alonso, the oldest man on the grid at 41, will be starting his 20th season after moving from Renault-owned Alpine.
McLaren’s Lando Norris was fourth, ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll — the Canadian racing after breaking both his wrists in a cycling accident last month.
Stroll was kept waiting for the first 20 minutes due to an ignition problem.
Once-dominant Mercedes had a quiet session on a hot afternoon with seven times world champion Lewis Hamilton 10th and team mate George Russell 11th on medium tyres.
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri was the highest-placed rookie in 12th, with AlphaTauri’s Nyck de Vries 16th and Williams’ Logan Sargeant 18th.
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz was last after a big spin.
Red Bull is favorite for the weekend in Bahrain after setting the pace in testing.