The 2024 Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix gets underway with Max Verstappen starting on pole with Charles Leclerc next to him on the front row.
Verstappen begins his quest to secure a fourth-straight world championship after dominating the 2023 season. Red Bull are bidding for a seventh constructors’ title, which would draw them level in the all-time standings with Lotus and put them just one behind Mercedes and McLaren.
Lewis Hamilton begins the race in ninth position to kickstart his final racing season at Mercedes before he completes a high-profile move to Ferrari for 2025. The British driver, who was fastest in the second practice session this week, said: “I’m feeling much happier with the car than last year. We’ve made some good improvements and it feels much more like a race car.”
The Sporting News is following the F1 Bahrain Grand Prix live, providing updates, commentary and the latest classification.
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F1 live race leaderboard
Updated every five laps
| Lap 1/60 | Driver | ||
| 1. | Max Verstappen | 11. | Yuki Tsunoda |
| 2. | Charles Leclerc | 12. | Lance Stroll |
| 3. | George Russell | 13. | Alex Albon |
| 4. | Carlos Sainz | 14. | Daniel Ricciardo |
| 5. | Sergio Perez | 15. | Kevin Magnussen |
| 6. | Fernando Alonso | 16. | Valtteri Bottas |
| 7. | Lando Norris | 17. | Zhou Guanyu |
| 8. | Oscar Piastri | 18. | Logan Sargeant |
| 9. | Lewis Hamilton | 19. | Esteban Ocon |
| 10. | Nico Hulkenberg | 20. | Pierre Gasly |
F1 grid order:
1. Verstappen (Red Bull), 2. Leclerc (Ferrari), 3. Russell (Mercedes), 4. Sainz (Ferrari), 5. Perez (Red Bull), 6. Alonso (Aston Martin), 7. Norris (McLaren), 8. Piastri (McLaren), 9. Hamilton (Mercedes), 10. Hulkenberg (Haas),
11. Tsunoda (RB), 12. Stroll (Aston Martin), 13. Albon (Williams), 14. Ricciardo (RB), 15. Magnussen (Haas), 16. Bottas (Sauber), 17. Zhou (Sauber), 18. Sargeant (Williams), 19. Ocon (Alpine), 20. Gasly (Alpine)
F1 Bahrain Grand Prix live updates, results, highlights from 2024 race
5 mins before lights out: The drivers are in their cars, it’s lights out next!
15 mins before lights out: Martin Brundle is doing his grid walk and has had chats with Patrice Evra, Jeremy Clarkson and Sarah Ferguson. Neymar is also in attendance today.
30 mins before lights out: In around half an hour Verstappen will start on pole for the 33rd time in his career. He’s aiming for his eighth consecutive Grand Prix victory, continuing his streak from last season.
1 hour before lights out: The other major story heading into this new season is Lewis Hamilton. He’ll be racing one final time for Mercedes this season as he moves to Ferrari in 2025. We’ve explained the move and also looked at who will replace the British driver at Mercedes.
Future team mates chatting before the driver parade 👀#F1 #BahrainGP pic.twitter.com/Qm1KWM2trS
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 2, 2024
1 hour 30 mins before lights out: The main storyline ahead of the race week has been all about Christian Horner. Read our explainer on the allegations facing the Red Bull team principal.
📸 Christian Horner and Geri arriving to the paddock together pic.twitter.com/tl9375Uu86
— RBR Daily (@RBR_Daily) March 2, 2024
2 hours before lights out: What better to get you in the mood for the new F1 season?
Introducing your 2024 opening titles 🙌 #BahrainGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/aletZnSlaG
— Formula 1 (@F1) February 29, 2024
F1 Bahrain Grand Prix grid, qualifying recap
Max Verstappen ensured it was a case of business as usual as he stormed to pole position at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.
Verstappen and Red Bull dominated the 2023 season but their build-up to the new campaign has been overshadowed by allegations against team principal Christian Horner, who was cleared of “inappropriate behaviour” by an independent investigation earlier this week before messages allegedly sent by the 50-year-old were leaked online.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc found himself in the familiar position of coming in second behind the sport’s dominant force, 0.228 seconds shy of Verstappen, with Mercedes’ George Russell completing the top three ahead of Carlos Sainz in the second Ferrari.
The starting grid for the season opener 👀#F1 #BahrainGP pic.twitter.com/kwFLLtnFrW
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 1, 2024
F1 Bahrain Grand Prix race time
| UK | USA | Canada | Australia | India | |
| Date | Saturday, Mar 2 | Saturday, Mar 2 | Saturday, Mar 2 | Sunday, Mar 3 | Saturday, Mar 2 |
| Time | 3 p.m. GMT | 10 a.m. ET | 10 a.m. ET | 2 a.m. AEDT | 8:30 p.m. IST |
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F1 Bahrain Grand Prix 2024 tv channel, live stream
| UK | USA | Canada | Australia | India | |
| TV Channel | Sky Sports F1 | ESPN | TSN (English, RDS / Noovo (French) | Fox Sports | — |
| Live Stream | NOW TV, Sky Go app | ESPN+, Fubo, Hulu, Sling TV, YouTube TV | TSN Direct | Foxtel Go, Kayo Sports | F1 TV Pro |
