P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Hamilton led teammate George Russell as Mercedes threw down a marker ahead of the first qualifying of the season.
Lewis Hamilton led a Mercedes one-two in second practice for the Bahrain Grand Prix, setting a best lap time of 1:30.374, making qualifying for the F1 season opener wide open. Fernando Alonso took third place for Aston Martin, leaving unanswered questions as Max Verstappen finished only sixth fastest. Hamilton continued to dominate in qualifying simulations, with George Russell also improving after adjustments to his car. Charles Leclerc had a challenging session, facing traffic issues, while McLaren’s Lando Norris struggled and ended up slowest. Despite high expectations for Red Bull, Hamilton’s lead remained significant, with Verstappen showing strong race pace alongside teammate Sergio Perez. Nico Hulkenberg impressed in one-lap speed, while Valtteri Bottas faced issues with passing the red light at pit exit.ø2024 F1 calendar is available for download to stay up-to-date with all the action.
