F1 Bahrain GP 2024 LIVE: Practice results and schedule as Lewis Hamilton goes fastest

Formula 1 is back this weekend with the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix after a drama-filled off-season which saw Lewis Hamilton announce his departure from Mercedes and Red Bull team principal Christian Horner investigated and cleared over alleged ’inappropriate behaviour’ towards a female colleague.

After being rocked by the Horner story, F1 now switches attention back to the track as Max Verstappen looks to defend his world championship title.

Last week’s pre-season testing proved that Red Bull will once again be the team to beat with Verstappen setting the fastest lap time on day one. Their closest rivals seem to be Ferrari, who Hamilton is joining for 2025, though Mercedes and McLaren cannot be discounted either.

As for the teams competing in the middle of the field, Daniel Ricciardo hopes newly-rebranded RB will compete at the front of the pack while Fernando Alonso and Aston Martin look to further develop their car. That said, all this is merely speculation until the competition heats up.

Follow updates from the Bahrain Grand Prix with The Independent:

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix 2024 LIVE

• The 2024 F1 season gets underway in Bahrain

• Lewis Hamilton quickest in FP2; Russell 2nd; Alondo 3rd

• Daniel Ricciardo fastest in FP1; Norris 2nd; Piastri 3rd

• Christian Horner cleared by Red Bull over ‘inappropriate behaviour’ allegations

• COMMENT: Horner is exonerated – but Red Bull probe serves as reminder to all in F1

• SEASON PREDICTIONS: Biggest shock and who will replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes?

Christian Horner statement on leaked texts

Thursday 29 February 2024 20:00 , Mike Jones

“I won’t comment on anonymous speculation, but to reiterate, I have always denied the allegations.

“I respected the integrity of the independent investigation and fully cooperated with it every step of the way.

“It was a thorough and fair investigation conducted by an independent specialist barrister and it has concluded, dismissing the complaint made. I remain fully focused on the start of the season.”

Why is F1 Bahrain Grand Prix on a Saturday?

Thursday 29 February 2024 19:30 , Mike Jones

Formula 1 is back this weekend with the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix after a drama-filled off-season which saw Lewis Hamilton announce his departure from Mercedes and Red Bull team principal Christian Horner investigated and cleared over alleged ’inappropriate behaviour’ towards a female colleague.

After being rocked by the Horner story, F1 now switches attention back to the track as Max Verstappen looks to defend his world championship title.

Last week’s pre-season testing proved that Red Bull will once again be the team to beat with Verstappen setting the fastest lap time on day one. Their closest rivals seem to be Ferrari, who Hamilton is joining for 2025, though Mercedes and McLaren cannot be discounted either.

Why is the 2024 F1 season starting on a Saturday?

Whatsapps allegedly sent by Horner leaked to press

Thursday 29 February 2024 19:04 , Mike Jones

Whatsapps allegedly sent by Red Bull team principal Christian Horner to a female colleague have been leaked to the press, in what could prove to be an embarrassing development for the Red Bull team principal.

A Google drive containing text messages and photos supposedly sent by Horner were shared to journalists and fellow team principals inside F1.

Neither Horner nor Red Bull have commented on the apparent leak.

Have Red Bull stolen a march on their competitiors in the off-season?

Thursday 29 February 2024 18:39 , Mike Jones

Horner expected to be on pitwall during Bahrain GP

Thursday 29 February 2024 18:12 , Mike Jones

Horner is expected to be on Red Bull’s pit wall for practice in Bahrain today after he was cleared of “inappropriate behaviour” towards a female colleague.

Red Bull GmbH said it was confident the investigation had been “fair, rigorous and impartial”, but added that the report – understood to stretch to 150 pages – is “confidential”.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff had called for the investigation to be conducted with transparency but no details of the allegations against Horner were reported.

Horner has made no public comment. The complainant also has a right to appeal against the verdict.

Lewis Hamilton tops Bahrain practice as Max Verstappen struggles in shock start to F1 season

Thursday 29 February 2024 17:53 , Mike Jones

Lewis Hamilton raised hope of taking the fight to Red Bull’s Max Verstappen at this weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix after finishing fastest in practice.

The seven-time world champion led a Mercedes one-two under the lights of the Sakhir Circuit, with Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso third and the Ferrari of Carlos Sainz fourth.

World champion Verstappen finished sixth, nearly half-a-second back for Red Bull.

Hamilton tops Bahrain practice as Verstappen struggles in shock start to F1 season

Christian Horner on site for Bahrain Grand Prix

Thursday 29 February 2024 17:32 , Mike Jones

Christian Horner flew to Bahrain yesterday ahead of the season-opening grand prix in Sakhir.

During the internal probe, he continued to be present for official Red Bull activities – including a car launch in Milton Keynes earlier this month, where he insisted it was “business as usual”, and pre-season testing in Bahrain last week.

Horner flew back to England as he awaited his fate before heading back to the Gulf kingdom on a private jet on Wednesday.

George Russell’s reaction after that impressive showing in FP2

Thursday 29 February 2024 17:01 , Kieran Jackson

Bahrain Grand Prix winner odds!

Thursday 29 February 2024 16:55 , Kieran Jackson

Fancy a flutter? Who will win the race on Saturday?

• Max Verstappen - 1/3

• Charles Leclerc - 9/1

• Sergio Perez - 12/1

• Lewis Hamilton, Carlos Sainz - 18/1

• George Russell, Lando Norris - 20/1

• Fernando Alonso - 28/1

• Oscar Piastri - 33/1

• Lance Stroll, Yuki Tsunoda, Daniel Ricciardo - 250/1

• Esteban Ocon - 300/1

• Alex Albon, Pierre Gasly - 400/1

• Guanyu Zhou, Kevin Magnussen, Nico Hulkenberg, Valtteri Bottas - 500/1

• Logan Sargeant - 750/1

Odds provided by Betway

TOP-10 IN FREE PRACTICE 2

Thursday 29 February 2024 16:17 , Kieran Jackson

1. Lewis Hamilton - 1:30:374

2. George Russell - +0.206

3. Fernando Alonso - +0.286

4. Carlos Sainz - +0.395

5. Oscar Piastri - +0.410

6. Max Verstappen - +0.477

7. Nico Hulkenberg - +0.510

8. Lance Stroll - +0.517

9. Charles Leclerc - +0.739

10. Sergio Perez - +0.741

Hamilton top in FP2!

Thursday 29 February 2024 16:03 , Kieran Jackson

Well, well, well - do we have a shock in store?!

Hamilton stays P1, with Russell P2 - 0.206 secs off his team-mate.

Fernando Alonso makes up the top-three, followed by Carlos Sainz, Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen - all within half-a-second of Hamilton.

Mercedes one-two with 25 minutes left!

Thursday 29 February 2024 15:43 , Kieran Jackson

Can we start getting excited yet?

Hamilton still top, with George Russell now in second - 0.206 secs behind his team-mate.

Fernando Alonso is third, two-tenths behind Russell, while Max Verstappen is only down in P6 - 0.447 secs off the table-topping pace!

Should be race runs now... so that could be the top-three from here on in.

Lewis Hamilton goes even faster!

Thursday 29 February 2024 15:30 , Kieran Jackson

The seven-time world champion cuts four-tenths off his first time, with a 1:30:374 - 0.395 secs faster than Carlos Sainz, who now occupies P2.

3-10: Piastri, Hulkenberg, Alonso, Perez, Verstappen, Leclerc, Stroll, Albon

Just over half-an-hour to go - let’s see if the times tumble. Well, well, well...

Lewis Hamilton goes fastest out of the first runs

Thursday 29 February 2024 15:14 , Kieran Jackson

Some soft tyre runs straight off the bat in second practice - and Lewis Hamilton looks quick early on!

The Mercedes W15 is top with a 1:30:751, two-tenths up on Fernando Alonso in second.

Charles Leclerc is third with Max Verstappen only fourth, 0.520 secs behind Hamilton!

Interesting....

5-10: Perez, Sianz, Stroll, Russell, Hulkenberg, Magnussen

Valtteri Bottas could be in a spot of bother

Thursday 29 February 2024 15:08 , Kieran Jackson

Sauber driver Valtteri Bottas under investigation for a pit lane infringement - it looks as though he crossed the white line (but in the slow lane) before the light turned green at the end of the pit lane.

Looked a simple mistake. Shouldn’t be a penalty.

Second practice in Bahrain!

Thursday 29 February 2024 15:02 , Kieran Jackson

We’re underway with the second practice session at the Bahrain International Circuit!

This will be a much more representative session for qualifying and the race, given the cooler conditions under the floodlights in Lusail.

Will anybody be able to match Max Verstappen’s Red Bull? And can Daniel Ricciardo match his performance from earlier?

Valtteri Bottas, in a bright green car for Stake, is the first car out on track.

2023 constructors’ championship odds!

Thursday 29 February 2024 14:41 , Kieran Jackson

Red Bull - 1/6

Ferrari - 7/1

McLaren, Mercedes - 10/1

Aston Martin - 66/1

Alpine, Visa Cash App RB - 500/1

Sauber - 750/1

Williams, Haas - 1000/1

Odds provided by Betway

F1 2024 season predictions: World champion, biggest shock, and who will replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes

Thursday 29 February 2024 14:24 , Kieran Jackson

Another Formula One off season has come and gone – with its fair share of dramatic stories – but now we are set to go racing once again.

This Saturday’s season opener in Bahrain is the first of a record-breaking 24 races in 2024, which sees the season stretch from Bahrain GP practice on 29 February to the finale in Abu Dhabi on 8 December.

Max Verstappen is the unquestionable favourite to claim his fourth straight world championship this year, with Red Bull winning 21 out of 22 races last year and the likes of Ferrari, Mercedes and McLaren all playing catch up.

But will there be a surprise in store? Can anyone make the jump up into the midfield contenders? And how will a fascinating driver market develop throughout the year?

Ahead of Saturday’s Bahrain Grand Prix, Formula 1 Correspondent Kieran Jackson makes his predictions for the upcoming season:

F1 2024 predictions: Biggest shock and who will replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes?

Have Red Bull stolen a march on their competitiors in the off-season?

Thursday 29 February 2024 14:05 , Kieran Jackson

FULL LEADERBOARD IN FP1

Thursday 29 February 2024 13:46 , Kieran Jackson

Christian Horner is exonerated – but Red Bull probe serves as reminder to all in F1

Thursday 29 February 2024 13:33 , Kieran Jackson

Twenty-three days after allegations of “inappropriate behaviour” first emerged through whispers in the Dutch press, and following countless denials on the eve of the new Formula One season, Red Bull boss Christian Horner has finally won the battle of his life.

Touching down in the Middle East on Wednesday night, Horner will be one relieved man stepping off his private jet. A team principal and chief executive who has barely missed a race since taking the reins at the inception of his Red Bull team in 2005, the 50-year-old will take his usual place on the pit wall at the Bahrain Grand Prix this weekend as a man exonerated.

The statement on Wednesday afternoon from Red Bull GmbH – the parent company, based in Salzburg, of Horner’s Red Bull Racing – was unwavering. It spoke of an investigation, outsourced to an external KC, which was “fair, rigorous and impartial” and a “grievance” which has now been dismissed.

COMMENT:

Christian Horner is exonerated – but Red Bull probe serves as reminder to all in F1

2024 F1 drivers championship odds!

Thursday 29 February 2024 13:15 , Kieran Jackson

No surprises who the favourite is at this point!

• Max Verstappen - 1/7

• Charles Leclerc - 12/1

• Lando Norris, Lewis Hamilton - 16/1

• Carlos Sainz - 25/1

• Sergio Perez - 28/1

• George Russell - 33/1

• Fernando Alonso - 40/1

• Oscar Piastri - 66/1

• Daniel Ricciardo - 500/1

• Alex Albon, Lance Stroll - 750/1

• Esteban Ocon, Pierre Gasly, Yuki Tsunoda, Valtteri Bottas, Zhou Guanyu - 1000/1

• Kevin Magnussen, Nico Hulkenberg - 1500/1

• Logan Sargeant - 2000/1

Odds provided by Betway

Max Verstappen delivers explicit verdict on Red Bull’s RB20 during Bahrain practice

Thursday 29 February 2024 13:00 , Kieran Jackson

Max Verstappen has delivered an explicit verdict on Red Bull’s RB20 during the early stages of practice for the Bahrain Grand Prix.

After a promising spell testing last week, expectations were the three-time world champion and teammate Sergio Perez would dominate again this season.

But the Dutch driver was left scathing during FP1, stating: “Everything is s***. Like, miles off.”

Full piece below:

Max Verstappen delivers explicit verdict on Red Bull’s RB20 during practice

TOP-10 IN FP1 IN BAHRAIN

Thursday 29 February 2024 12:44 , Kieran Jackson

1. Daniel Ricciardo - 1:32:869

2. Lando Norris - +0.032

3. Oscar Piastri - +0.244

4. Yuki Tsunoda - +0.314

5. Fernando Alonso - +0.324

6. Max Verstappen - +0.369

7. George Russell - +0382

8. Charles Leclerc - +0.399

9. Lewis Hamilton - +0.433

10. Valtteri Bottas - +0.485

Daniel Ricciardo fastest in first practice in Bahrain

Thursday 29 February 2024 12:33 , Kieran Jackson

How about that then?!

Daniel Ricciardo goes fastest in the RB, with a 1:32:869, 0.032 secs quicker than McLaren’s Lando Norris in second. Oscar Piastri is in third, with Yuki Tsunoda in fourth - all on soft tyres.

The quickest man on the mediums? Not Max Verstappen! He’s sixth, but Fernando Alonso is fifth.

Lewis Hamilton down in P9, with team-mate George Russell P7 - both on mediums though.

Second practice later on - under the lights - will be more telling ahead of qualifying and the race.

Max Verstappen:

Thursday 29 February 2024 12:30 , Kieran Jackson

“Very inconsistent downshifts again.”

Not the most satisfying opening session for Verstappen.

Max Verstappen staying on the medium tyres

Thursday 29 February 2024 12:23 , Kieran Jackson

That top-four of Ricciardo, Norris, Piastri and Tsunoda are all on soft tyres, while Verstappen is on sixth with Alonso in fifth.

Final 10 now.... no sign of the softs yet for Max.

Daniel Ricciardo top of the timesheets!

Thursday 29 February 2024 12:10 , Kieran Jackson

As we move on from mediums to softs, Daniel Ricciardo in the RB goes top with a 1:32:869, 0.032 secs quicker than Lando Norris in second

McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri is third, two-tenths down on Ricciardo.

4-10: Tsunoda, Russell, Leclerc, Hamilton, Bottas, Sainz, Perez

Max Verstappen P11, but has not yet put on the softs.

Final 20 minutes now.

Max Verstappen:

Thursday 29 February 2024 11:56 , Kieran Jackson

“The downshifts are very bad, the car is literally jumping!”

Into the garage goes the RB20...

It wouldn’t be a practice session without a Max complaint!

TOP-10 AFTER 20 MINUTES

Thursday 29 February 2024 11:50 , Kieran Jackson

1. Max Verstappen - 1:33:535

2. George Russell (+0.214)

3. Sergio Perez (+0.377)

4. Lewis Hamilton (+0.390)

5. Fernando Alonso (+0.394)

6. Charles Leclerc (+0.531)

7. Carlos Sainz (+0.849)

8. Lando Norris (+0.971)

9. Lance Stroll (+1.129)

10. Yuki Tsunoda (+1.238)

Max Verstappen on top after first 15 minutes

Thursday 29 February 2024 11:43 , Kieran Jackson

Lewis Hamilton had a period on top, then Carlos Sainz was first - but Max Verstappen has blown their times out the water early on.

The Dutchman sets a 1:33:900, six-tenths quicker than Sainz. Sergio Perez then goes second-fastest in the other Red Bull, 0.084 secs behind his team-mate.

But Verstappen is not happy! “Everything is off!” he says on team radio.

All the drivers on the medium tyres to begin with, in what is very heavy wind for the first session of the season.

Zhou Guanyu not happy early on:

Thursday 29 February 2024 11:34 , Kieran Jackson

“My brake is not working.”

Not an ideal start for the Chinese driver, driving the violently green Stake car.

A few aero-rakes on some cars early on...

Bahrain Grand Prix practice!

Thursday 29 February 2024 11:32 , Kieran Jackson

We’re underway with the first session of the 2024 F1 season!

The Haas of Nico Hulkenberg is the first man out on the track as most of the cars head straight out on the circuit.

One hour of running under the sun in the Middle East to start us off.

Bahrain Grand Prix winner odds!

Thursday 29 February 2024 11:21 , Kieran Jackson

Fancy a flutter? Who will win the race on Saturday?

• Max Verstappen - 1/3

• Charles Leclerc - 9/1

• Sergio Perez - 12/1

• Lewis Hamilton, Carlos Sainz - 18/1

• George Russell, Lando Norris - 20/1

• Fernando Alonso - 28/1

• Oscar Piastri - 33/1

• Lance Stroll, Yuki Tsunoda, Daniel Ricciardo - 250/1

• Esteban Ocon - 300/1

• Alex Albon, Pierre Gasly - 400/1

• Guanyu Zhou, Kevin Magnussen, Nico Hulkenberg, Valtteri Bottas - 500/1

• Logan Sargeant - 750/1

Odds provided by Betway

Martin Brundle on if Horner investigation will impact Red Bull:

Thursday 29 February 2024 11:09 , Kieran Jackson

“I don’t think it’s been helpful, I don’t think it’ll impact their performance.

“They’ve got a brilliant car and driver line-up, they’ve got so much momentum - I don’t think we’ll see any effect on the track.”

F1 practice at the Bahrain Grand Prix!

Thursday 29 February 2024 11:00 , Kieran Jackson

We are just half-an-hour from action on track at the first race of the season in Bahrain!

Can anyone show signs of improvement from testing last week at the same track - and perhaps narrow the gap to Red Bull out in front?

What is the race schedule and start times for practice in Bahrain?

Thursday 29 February 2024 10:47 , Kieran Jackson

(All times GMT)

Thursday 29 February

• Free practice 1: 11:30am

• Free practice 2: 3pm

Friday 1 March

• Free practice 3: 12:30pm

• Qualifying: 4pm

Saturday 2 March

• Race: 3pm

Martin Brundle reacts after Christian Horner cleared of wrongdoing by Red Bull investigation

Thursday 29 February 2024 10:26 , Kieran Jackson

Martin Brundle and Damon Hill have given their immediate reactions to the news that Christian Horner has been cleared of wrongdoing following an independent investigation commissioned by Red Bull.

Horner was accused of inappropriate behaviour by a female colleague, who lodged an official complaint with the organisation earlier this month. He continued his role as Red Bull Racing’s team principal while an investigation was conducted by an externally appointed lawyer.

On Wednesday, Red Bull GmbH issued a statement which confirmed that “the grievance has been dismissed” and that the complainant had a right to appeal. It added: “Red Bull is confident that the investigation has been fair, rigorous and impartial. The investigation report is confidential and contains the private information of the parties and third parties who assisted in the investigation, and therefore we will not be commenting further out of respect for all concerned.”

Full piece below:

Martin Brundle reacts after Christian Horner cleared of wrongdoing by Red Bull

Christian Horner breaks silence after being cleared by Red Bull of alleged ‘inappropriate behaviour’

Thursday 29 February 2024 10:00 , Kieran Jackson

Christian Horner admits he is “pleased” the investigation into alleged “inappropriate behaviour” is over as the Red Bull F1 boss returned to the paddock in Bahrain on Thursday.

The complaint from a female colleague, first publicised on February 5, alleged “inappropriate, controlling behaviour” against the Red Bull team principal. Horner strongly denied the allegations, both initially and in public at Red Bull’s 2024 F1 car launch in Milton Keynes as well as last week at pre-season testing.

But after an investigation was conducted and completed by an external lawyer, the world champions’ parent company Red Bull GmbH confirmed on Wednesday afternoon that the “grievance” against Horner has been dismissed. The female colleague does, however, have the right to an appeal.

Full piece below:

Horner breaks silence after being cleared by Red Bull of ‘inappropriate behaviour’

F1 2024 season predictions: World champion, biggest shock, and who will replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes

Thursday 29 February 2024 09:40 , Kieran Jackson

Another Formula One off season has come and gone – with its fair share of dramatic stories – but now we are set to go racing once again.

This Saturday’s season opener in Bahrain is the first of a record-breaking 24 races in 2024, which sees the season stretch from Bahrain GP practice on 29 February to the finale in Abu Dhabi on 8 December.

Max Verstappen is the unquestionable favourite to claim his fourth straight world championship this year, with Red Bull winning 21 out of 22 races last year and the likes of Ferrari, Mercedes and McLaren all playing catch up.

But will there be a surprise in store? Can anyone make the jump up into the midfield contenders? And how will a fascinating driver market develop throughout the year?

Ahead of Saturday’s Bahrain Grand Prix, Formula 1 Correspondent Kieran Jackson makes his predictions for the upcoming season:

F1 2024 predictions: Biggest shock and who will replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes?

What are the timings for Bahrain Grand Prix practice?

Thursday 29 February 2024 09:23 , Kieran Jackson

All times GMT

Thursday 29 February

First practice: 11:30am

Second practice: 3pm

Thursday 29 February 2024 09:14 , Kieran Jackson

Formula One is back after a drama-filled off-season which saw Lewis Hamilton announce his departure from Mercedes and Red Bull team principal Christian Horner investigated and cleared over alleged abusive behaviour towards a female collegue.

After being rocked by the Horner story, F1 now switches attention back to the track as Max Verstappen looks to defend his world championship title.

Last week’s pre-season testing proved that Red Bull will once again be the team to beat with Verstappen setting the fastest lap time on day one before a one-two finish for the Dutchman and his teammate Sergio Perez rounded out day three. Their closest rivals seem to be Ferrari, who Hamilton is joining for 2025, though Mercedes and McLaren cannot be discounted.

As for the teams competing in the middle of the field, Daniel Ricciardo hopes newly rebranded RB will compete at the front of the pack while Fernando Alonso and Aston Martin look to further develop their car. That said all this is merely speculation until the competition heats up.

Christian Horner is exonerated – but Red Bull probe serves as reminder to all in F1

Thursday 29 February 2024 08:35 , Jack Rathborn

Twenty-three days after allegations of “inappropriate behaviour” first emerged through whispers in the Dutch press, and following countless denials on the eve of the new Formula One season, Red Bull boss Christian Horner has finally won the battle of his life.

Touching down in the Middle East on Wednesday night, Horner will be one relieved man stepping off his private jet. A team principal and chief executive who has barely missed a race since taking the reins at the inception of his Red Bull team in 2005, the 50-year-old will take his usual place on the pit wall at the Bahrain Grand Prix this weekend as a man exonerated.

The statement on Wednesday afternoon from Red Bull GmbH – the parent company, based in Salzburg, of Horner’s Red Bull Racing – was unwavering. It spoke of an investigation, outsourced to an external KC, which was “fair, rigorous and impartial” and a “grievance” which has now been dismissed.

Christian Horner is exonerated – but Red Bull probe serves as reminder to all in F1

Christian Horner cleared by Red Bull over ‘inappropriate behaviour’ allegations

Thursday 29 February 2024 08:34 , Jack Rathborn

Christian Horner will continue as Red Bull team principal and F1 CEO after he was cleared of allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards a female colleague.

The complaint, first publicised on February 5, alleged “inappropriate, controlling behaviour” against the Red Bull F1 boss. Horner strongly denied the allegations, both initially and in public at Red Bull’s 2024 F1 car launch in Milton Keynes as well as last week at pre-season testing.

But after an investigation was conducted and completed by an external lawyer, who interviewed Horner for nearly ten hours on February 9 in London, the world champions’ parent company Red Bull GmbH confirmed on Wednesday afternoon that the “grievance” against Horner has been dismissed. The female colleague does, however, have the right to an appeal.

Christian Horner cleared by Red Bull over ‘inappropriate behaviour’ allegations