F1 is back for another season (Picture: Lars Baron/Getty Images)
The new Formula One season is finally underway with the Bahrain Grand Prix taking place later today.
The popular night time Grand Prix in the Middle East is the first race of the season for the third year in a row, and the ten teams know the circuit well having completed three days of pre-season testing at the venue only last week.
That test firmly established Red Bull and Max Verstappen as favourites to defend their respective constructors’ and drivers’ championships and Saturday’s qualifying session confirmed their tag as the combination to beat.
The Mercedes pairing of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell will be hoping for a significant improvement compared to last year’s struggles, while Fred Vasseur is the new Team Principal at Ferrari as they eye their first title since 2008.
Here is your full briefing ahead of this afternoon’s F1 Bahrain Grand Prix.
What time does the Bahrain Grand Prix start today?
The Bahrain Grand Prix will take place today (Sunday, March 5) at 3pm.
The Bahrain International Circuit is this weekend’s venue (Picture: Eric Alonso/Getty Images)
What TV channel is it on?
The Bahrain Grand Prix will be shown live on Sky Sports F1, with coverage of the race starting at 1.30pm.
Sky customers will be able to livestream the action on the Sky Sports website and with the Sky Sports app.
Those without Sky Sports will be able to watch the race with a NOW TV day pass from £11.98.
Channel 4 will show extended highlights of qualifying on Saturday at 7.30pm, and the race on Sunday at 9pm.
Red Bull are the team to beat on Sunday (Picture: Eric Alonso/Getty Images)
Who is starting on pole position?
Verstappen will be starting the race from pole after finishing just over one tenth ahead of teammate Sergio Perez.
Charles Lecelerc finished three tenths behind the Dutchman in third, one place ahead of Carlos Sainz in an-Ferrari second row.
Aston Martin have made huge strides compared to last season, with Fernando Alonso ending up P5 ahead of Russell and Hamilton in the Mercedes.
Bahrain Grand Prix starting grid
Sergio Perez
Charles Leclerc
Carlos Sainz
Fernando Alonso
George Russell
Lewis Hamilton
Lance Stroll
Esteban Ocon
Nico Hulkenberg
Lando Norris
Valtteri Bottas
Zhou Guanyu
Yuki Tsunoda
Alex Albon
Logan Sargeant
Kevin Magnussen
Oscar Piastri
Nyck De Vries
Pierre Gasly
More: F1
Who won the race last year?
Leclerc won last year’s edition in Sakhir, bringing home a Ferrari one-two with teammate Sainz.
Hamilton finished on the podium ahead of Russel in P4 and Kevin Magnussen in P5.
It was a day to forget for Red Bull, who saw both Verstappen and Sergio Perez retire from the race with mechanical issues.
MORE : Lance Stroll reveals injury details as Aston Martin confirm he will race in Bahrain
MORE : Max Verstappen fires warning to rivals ahead of Bahrain Grand Prix
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