Mercedes back in the mix as Fernando Alonso continues stunning Aston Martin charge

Fernando Alonso, FP1, Bahrain — Photo: © LAT Images

Bahrain Grand Prix

Mercedes back in the mix as Alonso continues stunning Aston Martin charge

Alonso heads into qualifying as the fastest driver on track

Ewan Gale

Saturday 4 March 2023 13:33 Updated: 16:08

Fernando Alonso continued Aston Martin's stellar Bahrain Grand Prix weekend with the fastest time in final practice.

The Spaniard set a one minute, 32.340secs, 0.005s faster than Max Verstappen.

But the Red Bull driver suffered a snap of oversteer at the final corner, indicating there is performance left to show come qualifying.

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Sergio Perez completed the top three to underline Red Bull's pace despite issues delaying the Mexican's run plan.

The final session presents unrepresentative conditions for qualifying and the race with the 60 minutes being run underneath the desert sun and not the coolness of the night.

Mercedes closed the gap to the top with Lewis Hamilton and George Russell two and four-tenths off the pace respectively.

Charles Leclerc could only split the Mercedes with the fifth fastest time, with the Scuderia seemingly in a battle with the Brackley-based outfit to be the third-quickest team.

Lance Stroll was half a second down on team-mate Alonso, but his recovery from two broken wrists continues to impress. Crucially, the left wrist that was being nursed through Friday's running was in full use through the turn one hairpin.

The second Ferrari of Carlos Sainz could only manage eighth, six-tenths down on compatriot Alonso's effort, with Oscar Piastri impressing for McLaren in the race for best of the rest.

Pierre Gasly rounded out the top 10 just ahead of new Alpine team-mate Esteban Ocon.

Hamilton was left unhappy with Mercedes after missing the opportunity to return to the track for end-of-session practice starts, with his final opportunity to do so now coming at pit exit ahead of the race.