In fact the most interesting rivalry since 2021 is between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. For years we waited to see if Red Bull Racing would have a car that would allow Max to use his extraordinary talent to take on Lewis and we finally got it. Lewis Hamilton says he is excited to see what he and George Russell can create together under Mercedes.

The Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (Bird) says F1 has "abandoned those who have been tortured and imprisoned" partly as a result of its criticism of the breed. A F1 spokesman said: "We take our responsibilities on rights very seriously and set high ethical standards across counterparties and our supply chain." These "were enshrined in the contracts, and we pay close attention to their observance". Syed Ahmed Alwadei, Director of Advocacy for Bird, has written a letter to F1 President and Chief Executive Officer Stefano Domenicali following the decision to award a new 15-year contract to the Bahrain race. The letter said the contract "directly contradicts your claim from last year that F1 'takes violence, human rights abuses and repression very seriously'". It adds that the grand prix has "contributed to the abuse and suffering of individuals, and F1 has failed to adequately use its platform to end the abuse or secure redress for these victims".

The 37-year-old Briton will include 'Larblestier' as a middle name instead of adding it to his surname. "I'm really proud of my family name. My mother's name is Larbelestier and I'm going to name it after myself," Hamilton said. "I really want his name to continue with the name Hamilton."

McLaren driver Daniel Ricciardo has tested positive for COVID-19 after feeling unwell in Bahrain since Wednesday. Daniil Ricciardo continues to isolate, but will still be able to drive to start season at Bahrain Grand Prix

"I think comments have been cited that certainly weren't made," Horner said at Friday's news conference. "The car is clearly innovative, it's an interesting solution. "As far as we are concerned it looks like the Mercedes car complies with the rules. It's just a different interpretation, a different solution." Horner said this was an "extreme" rule interpretation, but: "It seems to tick all the [validity] boxes."

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner told Germany's Auto Motor und Sport: "Mercedes has gone a step too far. "It is not in the spirit of the rules," he said. "To us, these feathers are illegal." Red Bull initially described Horner's quotes as "inaccurate", before clarifying that they were not "official".

The plane carrying the team's cargo from the United Kingdom was reportedly grounded due to technical problems. Although the goods arrived in Bahrain on Tuesday evening, the team had little time to prepare for the start of testing on Thursday. "The team's cargo reached the circuit in Bahrain late last night," Haas said in a statement. "This delay will affect our schedule, but we are aiming to be off track for a second session on Thursday afternoon, with Pietro Fittipaldi driving a VF-22."