Daniel Ricciardo tops first free practice of the season

Daniel Ricciardo commenced the 2024 Formula One season with the quickest time for the rebranded Visa Cash App RB team in the initial practice session of the Bahrain Grand Prix on Thursday.

The Australian driver navigated his RB around the 5.4km Sakhir desert track in one minute and 32.869 seconds during a cool and sunny afternoon, narrowly surpassing McLaren’s Lando Norris by 0.032 seconds.

Norris’s Australian teammate, Oscar Piastri, secured the third position, while the second RB driven by Yuki Tsunoda claimed the fourth spot. The Red Bull-owned AlphaTauri team has been renamed Visa Cash App RB. However, the running order in the first session may not accurately reflect the competitive landscape, as three of the top four drivers achieved their best times on soft tires, and the session took place under the evening floodlights.

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McLaren defeat Ferrari to Formula 1 constructors’ title

Despite encountering gear-shifting issues and posting the sixth fastest time, Red Bull’s reigning champion Max Verstappen remains the clear favorite heading into the weekend, with Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin rounding out the top five. The season-opening race is scheduled for Saturday, with qualifying taking place on Friday.