Formula 1

Formula 1 returns to the calendar this weekend with the Bahrain Grand Prix. Early reports from the free practice sessions are the Ferrari and Mercedes appear to be the front runners. Bahrain typically produces an exciting race so this will be one to watch. It may also produce drama if Rosberg finally cracks and doesn’t something stupid on track.

F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: Free practice results (2)

1. Nico Rosberg GER Mercedes-Mercedes 1m 34.647s
2. Lewis Hamilton GBR Mercedes-Mercedes 1m 34.762s
3. Kimi Raikkonen FIN Ferrari-Ferrari 1m 35.174s
4. Sebastian Vettel GER Ferrari-Ferrari 1m 35.277s
5. Valtteri Bottas FIN Williams-Mercedes 1m 35.280s
6. Daniel Ricciardo AUS Red Bull-Renault 1m 35.449s
7. Pastor Maldonado VEN Lotus-Mercedes 1m 35.474s
8. Felipe Nasr BRZ Sauber-Ferrari 1m 35.793s
9. Daniil Kvyat RUS Red Bull-Renault 1m 35.883s
10. Felipe Massa BRZ Williams-Mercedes 1m 35.884s
11. Marcus Ericsson SWE Sauber-Ferrari 1m 36.148s
12. Fernando Alonso ESP McLaren-Honda 1m 36.191s
13. Romain Grosjean FRA Lotus-Mercedes 1m 36.334s#
14. Carlos Sainz Jr ESP Toro Rosso-Renault 1m 36.471s
15. Nico Hulkenberg GER Force India-Mercedes 1m 36.805s
16. Max Verstappen NED Toro Rosso-Renault 1m 36.917s
17. Sergio Perez MEX Force India-Mercedes 1m 37.062s
18. Will Stevens GBR Manor Marussia-Ferrari 1m 39.131s
19. Jenson Button GBR McLaren-Honda 1m 39.209s
20. Roberto Merhi ESP Manor Marussia-Ferrari 1m 40.592s

Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach

Based on the racing thus far in the season, the IndyCar series has nowhere to go but up. Former racer Paul Tracey,46, raced in the Championship Auto Racing Teams and Verizon IndyCar Series from 1991-2007. He started 281 races, won 31 times and took the CART championship in 2003. Tracy told Autosport:

I don't know what the total statistics are, but I think the pace car has led more laps than any driver in the field so far this year. It's been actually quite embarrassing for IndyCar. They've had two really poor showing for races to kick off this new aero package. First race, they had a lot of accidents -- guys just running over the top of each other, hitting each other, and knocking wings off. This last race, it was the same thing. The race got off to a nice, clean start in the worst conditions in the rain, and once the first yellow happened, they could never get it going again. Not very good.

Some consider Long Beach among the top racing events in the world. Check your local times but NBC Sports Network will have coverage.