Car trouble sparks red flag in Bahrain afternoon run

Photo: Race Pictures

Updated: 14:27, 18 Feb

Samson Ero is a Formula 1 editor at GPblog with seven years’ experience in sports media. He covers key paddock developments, offering analysis on drivers, teams, and performance trends, with work featured on leading platforms.

Lance Stroll triggered the first red flag of the afternoon at the Bahrain International Circuit.

The Aston Martin driver ran his AMR26 onto the escape road approaching Turn 11 at Sakhir. Stroll, who on a flying lap, appeared to lose drive while attempting a downshift into the corner.

The incident adds to a difficult day for the Aston Martin team, coming after teammate Fernando Alonso faced engine issues during the morning session, which limited him to completing only 28 laps through the four-hour session.

Pos.	Driver	Team	Points
1	Kimi Antonelli Kimi Antonelli	MercedesMER	100
2	George Russell George Russell	MercedesMER	80
3	Charles Leclerc Charles Leclerc	FerrariFER	63
4	Lando Norris Lando Norris	McLarenMCL	51
5	Lewis Hamilton Lewis Hamilton	FerrariFER	49
6	Oscar Piastri Oscar Piastri	McLarenMCL	43
7	Max Verstappen Max Verstappen	Red Bull RacingRBR	26
8	Oliver Bearman Oliver Bearman	HaasHAA	17
9	Pierre Gasly Pierre Gasly	AlpineALP	16
10	Liam Lawson Liam Lawson	Racing BullsRCB	10
11	Franco Colapinto Franco Colapinto	AlpineALP	5
12	Arvid Lindblad Arvid Lindblad	Racing BullsRCB	4
13	Isack Hadjar Isack Hadjar	Red Bull RacingRBR	4
14	Carlos Sainz Carlos Sainz	WilliamsWIL	4
15	Gabriel Bortoleto Gabriel Bortoleto	AudiAUD	2
16	Esteban Ocon Esteban Ocon	HaasHAA	1
17	Alexander Albon Alexander Albon	WilliamsWIL	1
18	Nico Hulkenberg Nico Hulkenberg	AudiAUD	0
19	Valtteri Bottas Valtteri Bottas	CadillacCAD	0
20	Sergio Perez Sergio Perez	CadillacCAD	0
21	Fernando Alonso Fernando Alonso	Aston MartinAST	0
22	Lance Stroll Lance Stroll	Aston MartinAST	0

Car trouble sparks red flag in Bahrain afternoon run

Read also

Verstappen serves up a positive spin despite nightmare start for Red Bull teammate Hadjar

FIA refuses immediate F1 rule changes despite driver backlash

F1 Today | Verstappen promotes teammate, Mercedes plans to continue domination

FIA president Ben Sulayem fires back at critics as Mercedes dominance sparks complaints

Mercedes responds with major Montréal upgrade after McLaren closes gap

Verstappen will have to wait to discover if he can race at Nurburgring in 2027 event

Valentino Rossi reacts to first win for VR46 MotoGP team: 'Diggia was a dragon'

Why Hamilton is going against standard approach ahead of Canadian GP

Wolff confirms: 'We bring our first update package of the year to Montréal'

F1 insider convinced 'Verstappen is staying with Red Bull for the rest of his career'

F1 Today | Verstappen promotes teammate, Mercedes plans to continue domination

FIA president Ben Sulayem fires back at critics as Mercedes dominance sparks complaints

Mercedes responds with major Montréal upgrade after McLaren closes gap

Verstappen will have to wait to discover if he can race at Nurburgring in 2027 event

Popular on GPBlog

Why Hamilton is going against standard approach ahead of Canadian GP

‘I know myself’ - Verstappen explained why he avoided Nürburgring 24H start

Watch: Massive scare after safety car enters track sideways during F4 race

F1 insider convinced 'Verstappen is staying with Red Bull for the rest of his career'

Season

Verstappen serves up a positive spin despite nightmare start for Red Bull teammate Hadjar

FIA refuses immediate F1 rule changes despite driver backlash