2024 Bahrain GP FP3: Carlos Sainz Fastest From Alonso

In final practice before Friday's qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix, Carlos Sainz emerged top, closely followed by Fernando Alonso.

Lee Parker

By Lee Parker
Updated on March 4, 2024

Carlos Sainz FP3 2024 Bahrain Grand Prix
Carlos Sainz, FP3, 2024 Bahrain Grand Prix

Sainz managed to outpace Alonso towards the session’s end with a remarkable lap time of 1:30.824, establishing a 0.141-second lead over Fernando, who had been leading for most of the session.

Max Verstappen secured third, trailed by Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris, rounding out the top five. All the top drivers were separated by a mere fraction of a second, less than three-tenths, setting the stage for an exhilarating qualifying session scheduled for 4 pm.

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George Russell for Mercedes claimed sixth, followed by Oscar Piastri and Sergio Perez, while Lewis Hamilton found himself in 12th position.

Ferrari showed promising speed in last week’s pre-season testing and continued to demonstrate their strength in the final practice.

The third practice session held during the day, resulted in higher track temperatures compared to the cooler conditions expected for the night-time qualifying and race in Sakhir.

Despite Hamilton’s 12th place finish, being only six tenths behind the leader, his performance in the second practice offers optimism for qualifying, as the conditions were more reflective of what the drivers will face.

The upcoming qualifying session signals a tight competition for pole position in the inaugural qualifying of 2024, with teams like Red Bull, Ferrari, Mercedes, Aston Martin, and McLaren all vying for the top spot.

Third Practice Results

2024 Bahrain Grand Prix, 1 March 2024

DriverTeamTime
1) Carlos SainzFerrari1:30.824
2) Fernando AlonsoAston Martin+0.141
3) Max VerstappenRed Bull+0.238
4) Charles LeclercFerrari+0.270
5) Lando NorrisMcLaren+0.294
6) George RussellMercedes+0.366
7) Oscar PiastriMcLaren+0.386
8) Sergio PerezRed Bull+0.424
9) Nico HulkenbergHaas+0.454
10) Lance StrollAston Martin+0.572
11) Daniel RicciardoRB+0.625
12) Lewis HamiltonMercedes+0.628
13) Yuki TsunodaRB+0.807
14) Kevin MagnussenHaas+0.847
15) Alex AlbonWilliams+1.141
16) Zhou GuanyuSauber+1.176
17) Valtteri BottasSauber+1.272
18) Esteban OconAlpine+1.300
19) Logan SargeantWilliams+1.301
20) Pierre GaslyAlpine+1.558

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About The Author

Staff Writer

Lee Parker
Lee Parker

Lee is our staff writer specialising in anything technical within Formula 1 from aerodynamics to engines. Lee writes most of our F1 guides for beginners and experienced fans having followed the sports since 1991, researching and understanding how teams build the ultimate machines. Like everyone else on the team he listens to podcasts about F1 and enjoys reading biographies of former drivers.

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