FP1 concluded in Bahrain: in front is Gasly's AlphaTauri followed by the two Ferraris. Red Bull in shape. Mercedes still struggling

Here we are! The weekend officially started with free practice 1 a Sakhir. Lots of updates on the track but also in the graphics of the “new era” redesigned by F1 which also officially presented the new intro in which for the first time in years we see a different driver from Lewis Hamilton, at the head of the group. 

The time has come for the debut also for two riders on their first day of activity in Bahrain: Daniel Ricciardo, back on track after missing the entire pre-season test phase a Sakhir due to Covid; And Nico Hulkenberg, arrived at the last minute in the house Aston Martin to replace Sebastian Vettel, positive for Covid. Nico has tested this single-seater a lot on the simulator but will have to come to terms with the reality of these heavier and more difficult to manage machines. 

But let's see how the teams moved in the morning: Ferrari used the initial part of the tests to test the new diffuser with the famous "rakes". Many news also for Mercedes which, compared to last week, has brought a new configuration of the nose, as well as a new bottom and front wing. At Alpine, the new ones made their debut instead side pods; while the McLaren has prepared two new configurations of the front wing. In this first part of the day, the teams worked in "test" mode, taking advantage of the hour available to try out the new features introduced rather than on times and race simulations. This is also because in the afternoon the conditions will be the most indicative given that both qualifying and the races will take place at the same time. 

The session started in the worst way in the house Alfa Romeo. Valtteri Bottas after just 3 minutes he had an engine problem which prevented him from setting the time. The other few single-seaters, which went out onto the track when the green light went off, had to return to the pits after just a few minutes, when the Alpine di Esteban Ocon, in passing on the central straight, saw a piece of the new configuration of the side fly off, resulting in the exposure of the Red flag. The problem of pouring seems to still afflict the pink-tinged French team in these first two Grands Prix. 

Back on the track the riders started complaining about the wind. To accuse particularly of this situation was the Mercedes. Pierre Gasly in the meantime he manages to take command of the group with the time of 1:34.193. 15 minutes from the end comes a spin of Charles Leclerc who was setting up a super lap on the medium tyres. Despite attempts to Russell e Leclerc the first session of the day is archived since French of the AlphaTauri, Followed by Leclerc e Sainz with yellow ones, e Russell with the reds.

Here are all the morning times:

The second session will start at 16:00