Bahrain GP: Max Verstappen goes fastest in final practice as Mercedes show signs of revival

Max Verstappen went quickest in the final practice session ahead of qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix, whilst Mercedes showed signs of a revival after both Lewis Hamilton and George Russell had explained their concerns with their car after Friday’s running in Sakhir.

The Silver Arrows have attracted a lot of the headlines so far this weekend ahead of the first race of the new Formula 1 season, with their performance on Friday particularly concerning their two drivers, with porpoising hampering them a great deal.

Indeed, Red Bull and Ferrari have looked the strongest and a fair bit ahead of the Mercs, but Hamilton and Russell both put in competitive times during final practice, coming inside the top six, to boost hopes they may be in the mix for the front few rows later on this afternoon in qualy.

Certainly, it looks potentially a three-team battle for the first pole position of the year, though Max Verstappen did still look mighty ahead of Charles Leclerc and team-mate Sergio Perez, whilst the picture in behind is very intriguing indeed.

Haas yet again went well with Kevin Magnussen posting a top ten time whilst the two Alfa Romeos of Valtteri Bottas and Guanyu Zhou also finished inside the top ten, just in front of Lance Stroll for Aston Martin in 10th.

Certainly, qualifying looks wonderfully set up with any one of six drivers potentially in with a chance of lining up in P1 for Sunday, with the session underway at 3pm UK time.