F1 LIVE: The first practice session ahead of the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix
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This time around the Bahrain Grand Prix comes towards the end of the season, but the picture in the desert will be the same as usual. We start with the first free practice session of 90 minutes. Follow updates of the session in Sakhir with GPblog's live blog below.
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The first practice session is usually a good test for the teams and drivers to fine-tune their setup. Often teams will do a mix of qualifying simulations and long-runs to see what their pace will be like in qualifying and the race. In Bahrain, however, this is always slightly different, because FP1 is running in the daytime compared to qualifying and the race at night.
The season is far from over
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Changing conditions in Bahrain
The temperature difference is therefore much greater than usual with the sun setting. Some of the lap times and tyre data will be inaccurate for when the track temperature falls at night.
In Bahrain, the question is always to what extent will the drivers make use of this session? Maybe some parts need to be tested or the existing parts of the car can be looked at, but real testing to fine-tune the setup is not recommended.