The long wait for F1 fans is finally over, as racing returns to our screens for the 2023 season opening Bahrain GP on March 3-5.
Fans are eager to see if any of the chasing pack can close the gap to Red Bull and Max Verstappen at the front, with Ferrari, Mercedes, and even – if testing is to be believed – Aston Martin all looking to vie for honours.
The Bahrain International Circuit serves as the backdrop for the first race of the season for the third year running, and Charles Leclerc will be looking to repeat his 2022 form, when he beat Verstappen to the first victory of the year.
Here is what the weather forecast for the Bahrain GP currently looks like:
Friday, Practice 1 & 2
As is to be expected for a race in the desert, temperatures are set to remain high throughout the weekend, but there will be some relief for drivers with the race and qualifying sessions set to take place in the evening.
The first of the Friday practice sessions, however, will be during the day, with temperatures of around 25 degrees Celsius, before the lights come out for the second session at 18:00 local time.
Saturday, Practice 3 & Qualifying
For the first qualifying session of the season, similar conditions are expected, with temperatures slightly lower for the evening session, but still up at around 25 degrees Celsius for the final practice session during the day.
Sunday, Race
Lights out for the first race of the 2023 F1 season is at 18:00 local time in Bahrain (15:00 GMT), and temperatures should come in at around 20 degrees Celsius, falling slightly over the course of the evening as the track cools down.
