Daniel Ricciardo Surprises in Bahrain as RB Team Dominates Formula One’s First Practice Session

In an unexpected turn of events, Daniel Ricciardo emerged as the fastest driver during the initial practice session of the Formula One season in Bahrain.

Representing the newly rebranded RB team, the Australian outpaced Lando Norris by a mere 0.032 seconds, with Oscar Piastri securing the third spot in the other McLaren.

Verstappen’s Frustration and Unsettled Start

Max Verstappen, considered the favorite for the championship, expressed frustration over the handling of his Red Bull throughout the one-hour practice.

The Dutch driver, targeting a fourth consecutive world championship, finished sixth in the session.

His discontent was evident as he voiced dissatisfaction over the radio, saying, ‘Everything is s***. Like miles off.’

Ricciardo’s Resurgence: From McLaren to RB Team

Having been dropped by McLaren at the end of 2022, Daniel Ricciardo found a lifeline with Red Bull’s junior team midway through the previous season.

While caution is advised when interpreting testing times due to varying fuel loads, RB could present a surprise challenge this season.

RB Dominance: Yuki Tsunoda Claims Fourth Spot

Yuki Tsunoda, Ricciardo’s teammate at RB, secured the fourth position, trailing by three tenths. Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin claimed fifth place, opting not to use the soft compound.

The top performers, including Verstappen, Russell, Leclerc, and Hamilton, did not post laps on the speediest rubber.

Mercedes’ Quiet Optimism and Grid Dynamics

Lewis Hamilton finished ninth, trailing Ricciardo by four tenths, but the Mercedes team remains quietly optimistic about their performance potential.

At the other end of the grid, Alpine and Haas found themselves at the bottom, with Nico Hulkenberg finishing last among the 20 runners, trailing by five seconds.

Anticipated Second Practice Session

The second practice session of the day, scheduled for 6 pm local time (3 pm GMT), is expected to provide a more representative preview of the conditions drivers will face in Friday’s qualifying and Saturday’s race.

The intriguing start to the Formula One season in Bahrain sets the stage for further excitement and competition.

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