Formula 1's 2023 season formerly kicked into gear on Friday in Bahrain, with the field of contenders appearing even tighter than expected and Fernando Alonso keeping the Aston Martin hype train rolling.

Check out our recap in pictures of the day's action at Sakhir.

(L to R): Andy Stevenson (GBR) Aston Martin F1 Team Manager with Mike Krack (LUX) Aston Martin F1 Team, Team Principal. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Coates / XPB Imagesmore
Otmar Szafnauer (USA) Alpine F1 Team, Team Principal. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Batchelor / XPB Imagesmore
Valtteri Bottas (FIN) Alfa Romeo F1 Team. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore
Christian Horner (GBR) Red Bull Racing Team Principal. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore
Charles Leclerc (MON) Ferrari. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore
Andreas Seidl (GER) Sauber Group Chief Executive Officer (Left) with Pierre Wache (FRA) Red Bull Racing Technical Director (Centre). 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore
Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore
Frederic Vasseur (FRA) Ferrari Team Principal. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore
(L to R): Martin Whitmarsh (GBR) Aston Martin F1 Team Group Chief Executive Officer with Didier Coton (BEL) Driver Manager. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Batchelor / XPB Imagesmore
Toto Wolff (GER) Mercedes AMG F1 Shareholder and Executive Director (Right). 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Batchelor / XPB Imagesmore
Valtteri Bottas (FIN) Alfa Romeo F1 Team. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Coates / XPB Imagesmore
Oscar Piastri (AUS) McLaren MCL60. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Batchelor / XPB Imagesmore
Fernando Alonso (ESP) Aston Martin F1 Team AMR23. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Batchelor / XPB Imagesmore
Sergio Perez (MEX) Red Bull Racing RB19. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore
Esteban Ocon (FRA) Alpine F1 Team A523. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore
Charles Leclerc (MON) Ferrari. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Coates / XPB Imagesmore
Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Coates / XPB Imagesmore
Esteban Ocon (FRA) Alpine F1 Team A523. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Coates / XPB Imagesmore
Valtteri Bottas (FIN) Alfa Romeo F1 Team C43. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore
Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing RB19. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore
Yuki Tsunoda (JPN) AlphaTauri AT04. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore
Fernando Alonso (ESP) Aston Martin F1 Team AMR23. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore
George Russell (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1 W14. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Batchelor / XPB Imagesmore
Charles Leclerc (MON) Ferrari SF-23 rear wing. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Batchelor / XPB Imagesmore
Lando Norris (GBR) McLaren MCL60. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Batchelor / XPB Imagesmore
Lance Stroll (CDN) Aston Martin F1 Team AMR23. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Batchelor / XPB Imagesmore
Logan Sargeant (USA) Williams Racing FW45. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Batchelor / XPB Imagesmore
Alexander Albon (THA) Williams Racing FW45. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore
Valtteri Bottas (FIN) Alfa Romeo F1 Team C43 and Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1 W14. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore
Sergio Perez (MEX) Red Bull Racing RB19. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Coates / XPB Imagesmore
Pierre Gasly (FRA) Alpine F1 Team A523. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore
Valtteri Bottas (FIN) Alfa Romeo F1 Team C43. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore
Valtteri Bottas (FIN) Alfa Romeo F1 Team C43. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Coates / XPB Imagesmore
Alexander Albon (THA) Williams Racing FW45. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Coates / XPB Imagesmore
Esteban Ocon (FRA) Alpine F1 Team A523. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Coates / XPB Imagesmore
Yuki Tsunoda (JPN) AlphaTauri AT04. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Coates / XPB Imagesmore
Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing RB19. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Coates / XPB Imagesmore
Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP) Ferrari SF-23. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Coates / XPB Imagesmore
Logan Sargeant (USA) Williams Racing FW45 with flow-vis paint. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Coates / XPB Imagesmore
Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing RB19. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore
Frederic Vasseur (FRA) Ferrari Team Principal in the FIA Press Conference. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: XPB Imagesmore
(L to R): Christian Horner (GBR) Red Bull Racing Team Principal and Frederic Vasseur (FRA) Ferrari Team Principal in the FIA Press Conference. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: XPB Imagesmore
Mike Elliot (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1 Technology Director in the FIA Press Conference. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: XPB Imagesmore
(L to R): Pat Fry (GBR) Alpine F1 Team Chief Technical Officer; Mike Elliot (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1 Technology Director; and Dan Fallows (GBR) Aston Martin F1 Team Technical Director, in the FIA Press Conference. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: XPB Imagesmore
Logan Sargeant (USA) Williams Racing FW45. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore
Valtteri Bottas (FIN) Alfa Romeo F1 Team C43. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore
Zhou Guanyu (CHN) Alfa Romeo F1 Team C43. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore
Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1 W14. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore
Charles Leclerc (MON) Ferrari SF-23. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore
Charles Leclerc (MON) Ferrari SF-23. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore
Alexander Albon (THA) Williams Racing FW45. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore
Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing with Gianpiero Lambiase (ITA) Red Bull Racing Engineer. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Batchelor / XPB Imagesmore
Charles Leclerc (MON) Ferrari. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Batchelor / XPB Imagesmore
Lando Norris (GBR) McLaren. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Batchelor / XPB Imagesmore
Nico Hulkenberg (GER) Haas VF-23. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Batchelor / XPB Imagesmore
Circuit atmosphere - sun set. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Coates / XPB Imagesmore
Esteban Ocon (FRA) Alpine F1 Team A523. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore
Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing RB19 sends sparks flying. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore
Yuki Tsunoda (JPN) AlphaTauri AT04 sends sparks flying. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore
Esteban Ocon (FRA) Alpine F1 Team A523 leaves the pits. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Batchelor / XPB Imagesmore
Kevin Magnussen (DEN) Haas VF-23. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Batchelor / XPB Imagesmore
Oscar Piastri (AUS) McLaren MCL60. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Coates / XPB Imagesmore
Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing RB19. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Coates / XPB Imagesmore
Fernando Alonso (ESP) Aston Martin F1 Team AMR23. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Coates / XPB Imagesmore
(L to R): Martin Whitmarsh (GBR) Aston Martin F1 Team Group Chief Executive Officer with Stoffel Vandoorne (BEL) Aston Martin F1 Team Test and Reserve Driver. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Batchelor / XPB Imagesmore
Sergio Perez (MEX) Red Bull Racing RB19. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Batchelor / XPB Imagesmore
Esteban Ocon (FRA) Alpine F1 Team A523. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Batchelor / XPB Imagesmore
Fernando Alonso (ESP) Aston Martin F1 Team AMR23. 03.03.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Bahrain, Practice Day - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Batchelor / XPB Imagesmore
Michael Delaney

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