It already looks different verbally. Hamilton has already issued a first warning to Verstappen. “I’ll be a more aggressive driver this year, you’ll see,” said the Mercedes star with an ambiguous smile on his face when asked about future duels with Verstappen.
Verstappen, on the other hand, made fun of Mercedes’ alleged problems during the test drives yesterday. “You’ll be at the back. From your comments you have a terrible car I think. And that since 2017,” emphasized the Red Bull champion with a sardonic irony. According to Verstappen, Mercedes deliberately talks itself weak.
Ferrari teammates Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz landed directly behind Gasly.
The Dutchman wants to defend his title this year. “The motivation is the same and even higher because you want to keep winning,” said Verstappen. His first title took the burden off him. “This pressure of wanting and needing it,” admits the Red Bull star, who, unlike Hamilton in previous years, had the 1 stuck on his car.
The new edition of the duel of the century should lure the fans in front of the screens again this year. However, Hamilton does not think about revenge for the lost final in Abu Dhabi: “That’s not how I tick, that’s not how I approach the season. I want to be the best that I can be. I don’t hold grudges, I don’t have a burden to carry into the season.”
Bahrain Formula 1 Grand Prix
1. Free practice
2. Charles Leclerc (Monaco) – Ferrari +0.364s
3. Carlos Sainz Jr (Spain) – Ferrari +0.418
4. George Russell (Great Britain) – Mercedes +0.436
5. Max Verstappen (Netherlands) – Red Bull +0.549
6. Lance Stroll (Canada) – Aston Martin +0.621
7. Lewis Hamilton (Great Britain) – Mercedes +0.750
8. Fernando Alonso (Spain) – Alpine +0.807
9. Yuki Tsunoda (Japan) – Alpha Tauri +0.835
10. Sergio Perez (Mexico) – Red Bull +0.857
11. Zhou Guanyu (China) – Alfa Romeo +0.860
12. Esteban Ocon (France) – Alpine +0.958
13. Nicholas Latifi (Canada) – Williams +1.451
14. Nico Hulkenberg (Emmerich) – Aston Martin +1.622
15. Alexander Albon (Thailand) – Williams +1.730
16. Lando Norris (Great Britain) – McLaren +2.111
17. Daniel Ricciardo (Australia) – McLaren +2.209
18. Mick Schumacher (Gland/Switzerland) – Haas +2.343
19. Kevin Magnussen (Denmark) – Haas +2.611
20. Valtteri Bottas (Finland) – Alfa Romeo – (3rd lap)
