SAKHIR, Bahrain — Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc gave Ferrari a much-needed boost by topping the first two practice sessions at Formula One’s Bahrain Grand Prix on Friday. After Leclerc finished about 0.3 seconds ahead of Vettel in the hot afternoon sun, Vettel was then only 0.035 clear of Leclerc when temperatures dropped considerably on the desert circuit in the cooler evening session. Mercedes finished third and fourth in both practices, with Bottas quicker than Hamilton in P1 and Hamilton faster in P2. In that race, Vettel placed fourth with Leclerc fifth in a hugely disappointing performance from Ferrari following the Italian constructors’ strong showing during preseason testing in Spain. He competes in his first F2 race on Saturday and takes part in his first F1 test for Ferrari on Tuesday.

Source: National Post March 29, 2019 12:56 UTC