Bahrain Grand Prix – Free Practice 3: Alonso in front, Red Bull testing the hards

It was under scorching sun that the different drivers completed the last practice session. And although the results of the three sessions give some indications of the hierarchy at the front, the one in the midfield is difficult to determine.

Advantage Red Bull or Aston Martin?

Little by little, we are starting to believe. And even though we are still tempering these impressions, the figures mentioned during the winter tests of the AMR23 seem very real, and the new first place in this session by Fernando Alonso, with a time of 1.32.340, confirms it.

However, let’s not make the mistake of forgetting the Red Bull team. Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez, in that order, finish just behind by five and one hundred six thousandths.

Before the Austrians took second and third place, the two Red Bull cars were the only ones to use the hard tires. Although the times seem competitive, the two-time reigning world champion complained of a lack of grip. It remains to be seen whether they will attempt a one-stop strategy in tomorrow’s race.

Mercedes not so far, Alpine still discreet.

There is improvement at Mercedes, which is reassuring after a difficult Friday with fourth place, just over two tenths behind Alonso. However, there is pressure within the German team, which is making mistakes, especially at the end of the session by releasing Lewis Hamilton too late once again, unable to make a practice start on the grid.

The qualifications promise to be exciting for several reasons, and one of these reasons is that we are still waiting to know the true level of Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon’s A523, who finished respectively tenth and eleventh, more than half a second behind the top three.

The qualifying session will take place at night and can be watched from 4:00 PM on Canal+ Sport.

The ranking of the first free practice session.