2020 Bahrain Grand Prix

Previous race

Hamilton won the Turkish Grand Prix to claim his seventh World Drivers’ Championship, equalling Michael Schumacher’s all-time record. Pérez finished second and Vettel third. Lance Stroll claimed his maiden pole position in wet qualifying conditions.

Entrants

Roy Nissany drives for Williams in the first practice session, replacing George Russell. Robert Kubica drives for Alfa Romeo Racing in FP1, replacing Räikkönen.

Tyre choices

Pirelli brings the C2, C3, and C4 compounds — the middle range of hardnesses. Pirelli also tests 2021 prototype tyre compounds during the first 30 minutes of both Friday practice sessions.

Practice

Hamilton topped the first practice session ahead of Bottas and Racing Point’s Pérez, in sessions held in daylight conditions. Hamilton also led the second practice session, with Verstappen second and Bottas third. The second session was red-flagged twice: first after Alexander Albon crashed coming out of the final corner — emerging unharmed, though his car required a new chassis — and then after a stray dog wandered onto the track. The dog escaped through a gap in the marshal posts unharmed. Verstappen went fastest in the third and final practice session, ahead of Hamilton and Bottas.