F1 | FP1 | Bahrain GP | Norris sets the pace in rookie-filled session - Motorsport

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Lando Norris set the first benchmark of the weekend as he topped FP1 at the F1 Bahrain GP, with Pierre Gasly closely behind, full FP1 report and results below.

FP1 marked the first session back, since pre-season testing, at a familiar track for all 20 drivers on the grid. In the first of three practice sessions this weekend, numerous teams fulfilled their first of four FP1 rookie session requirements of the year.

Ferrari headed into the first session of the weekend with the biggest upgrade package of all teams to their SF-25. As Dino Beganovic took over Charles Leclerc’s cockpit, Lewis Hamilton was left to test Ferrari’s highly anticipated new floor.

Green lights at the end of the pitlane for FP1

As time ticked down, FP1 rookies Ayumu Iwasa (in place of Max Verstappen), Luke Browning (in place of Carlos Sainz) and Ryo Hirakawa (in place of Ollie Bearman) were eager to get out on track as they queued at the end of the pitlane.

Replay showed Fred Vesti (in place of George Russell) locking up into T1 as he started his lap. Meanwhile, Esteban Ocon jumped onto the radio to feedback that he was facing some issues down the straights.

Whilst chaos slowly unfolded, Lando Norris set the first benchmark of the weekend with a 1:35.674 on a set of mediums.

Antonelli loses power

Cameras panned to a slow-moving Antonelli. The Italian radioed back to the team he had lost power in his car as he slowly made his way back to the pits. After jumping out of his cockpit, Mercedes confirmed the issue was a lost of water pressure in Antonelli’s car.

Session filled with balance, grip and throttle issues

Hamilton was evidently not happy with the balance of his Ferrari during his opening laps of the weekend. Ferrari asked Hamilton if he wanted to do another push-lap, but opted not to. The 7-time world champion was not the first to complain about balance. Liam Lawson was next to feedback to his team as he described the balance in the car as “shocking”.

Many drivers were quick to feedback about the lack of grip on track. Alex Albon topped the timesheets with a 1:35.180. It was reported that McLaren broke curfew last night after trying to solve an unidentified issue.

Yuki Tsunoda was next to radio back to his team as he reported throttle issues.

Soft tyre runs

After 30 minutes, drivers swapped their mediums for softs to head on some flying laps. Gabriel Bortoleto was first to set a time on a set of softs as he went to the top with a 1:34.628. Similarly, his teammate Nico Hülkenberg was next to top the timing sheets as he set a 1:34.262 on softs.

Oscar Piastri split the two Saubers as he followed three tenths behind Hülkenberg after losing time and going off at the last turn. However, this did not last long. Pierre Gasly put in an impressive lap to put his Alpine to the top with a 1:33.442.

Williams released Albon into the path of Tsunoda as he headed down the pitlane, the team was then noted for a pitlane infringement. A close call for both Williams’ after Albon impeded Browning on his fast lap that could have ended in a big shunt. The situation was noted by the stewards.

Norris’ first run on the softs skyrocketed him to the top with a 1:33.204. With 5 minutes left on the clock, Hamilton’s first fast-lap put him in P3, six tenths behind Norris’ lap.

Despite Albon reporting he “lost power”, his Williams sprayed with red flow-vis headed back out on track to continue gathering data. The chequered flag waved as Piastri was last to set off on the last flying lap of the session and that concluded FP1 at the F1 Bahrain GP.