Follow live coverage of the first free practice session for the Bahrain Grand Prix with F1i’s updated live page.

The second race weekend of the season gets underway at 1400 local time at the Bahrain International Circuit, with FP1 and FP3 taking place in the heat of the day while FP2, qualifying and the race take place after sunset.

Ferrari will be looking to build on its encouraging performance in Australia to take the fight to Mercedes once again, although Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton secured another one-two in Melbourne. Wet weather limited running throughout Friday at the first race, but the forecast in Bahrain is much better despite rain on Thursday.

There will be a first chance to drive the McLaren MP4-31 for Stoffel Vandoorne ahead of his grand prix debut, with the 2015 GP2 champion replacing the injured Fernando Alonso this weekend. Alonso will remain in Bahrain to provide support to the team having been ruled out with fractured ribs following his crash in Australia.

F1i's live page has been updated to bring you a better user experience, while the coverage will bring you all the latest information about what is happening on track as well as news and features from the paddock.

TOP STORY: Alonso ruled out of Bahrain Grand Prix by FIA

Romain Grosjean's exclusive F1i column - Bahrain

RACE PREVIEW: Bahrain Grand Prix

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Andrew Lewin

Andrew first became a fan of Formula 1 during the time when Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill were stepping into the limelight after the era of Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Aryton Senna. He's been addicted ever since, and has been writing about the sport now for nearly a quarter of a century for a number of online news sites. He's also written professionally about GP2 (now Formula 2), GP3, IndyCar, World Rally Championship, MotoGP and NASCAR. In his other professional life, Andrew is a freelance writer, social media consultant, web developer/programmer, and digital specialist in the fields of accessibility, usability, IA, online communities and public sector procurement. He worked for many years in magazine production at Bauer Media, and for over a decade he was part of the digital media team at the UK government's communications department. Born and raised in Essex, Andrew currently lives and works in south-west London.

Recent Posts

Stella rejects Verstappen’s theory on narrower F1 teammate gaps

Max Verstappen has offered an intriguing explanation for why some teammates in Formula 1 appear…

1 hour ago

Williams calls up Browning for Italian GP FP1 run

Williams will hand Luke Browning another opportunity to make his mark in Formula 1 next…

3 hours ago

Stella calls Wolff’s bluff: ‘I actually don’t believe you’

McLaren F1 team boss Andrea Stella has called Toto Wolff’s bluff following the Mercedes chief’s…

4 hours ago

FIA confirms Red Bull-Ford’s lead in second ADUO evaluation

Red Bull-Ford has retained its position as Formula 1’s power unit benchmark after the FIA…

20 hours ago

Audi F1 junior Slater hails ‘incredible’ Madring after F3 test

Spain’s new Madring has yet to host its first Formula 1 race, but FIA F3…

21 hours ago

Webber reveals how F1 greats shaped his guidance of Piastri

Mark Webber’s role in Oscar Piastri’s career is not simply about managing the McLaren driver’s…

22 hours ago