The first qualifier of the Formula 1 year was in full swing in Bahrain. On the first circuit of the year, near Sakhir, there was a big battle, notably between Red Bull and Ferrari to win pole. But in this game, it was obviously the three-time reigning world champion and this year’s big favorite Max Verstappen who got the best of the others.
” I am happy. It was a bit unexpected. The car lit up a bit in qualifying. We went in the right direction,” enthused the Red Bull driver. In the right tempo in all sessions, Charles Leclerc failed against the Dutchman (+ 0.228), and completes the first line. George Russell (Mercedes) and Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) will sit on the second row. Perez, Alonso, Norris, Norris, Piastri, Hamilton and Hulkenberg complete the Top 10 in that order.
Just before Q3, the second session gave a cold sweat to the two Mercedes who left after the checkered flag. Yuki Tsunoda (11th) and Lance Stroll (12th) paid the price. Behind, Alexander Albon (13th), Daniel Ricciardo (14th) and Kevin Magnussen (15th) never believed in the feat of a Q3 to start the season.
Ocon and Gasly eliminated in Q1
Lagging behind since the start of winter testing and the weekend, the two Alpines were unable to survive in Q1. Predicted at the end of the grid by all F1 followers due in particular to the overweight of the A524 single-seater (+10 kg) and an engine deficit, Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly were unable to do anything during the first 15 qualifying rounds.
Very far from the 15th time and the last qualifying place in Q1 (+ 0.147 for Ocon, + 0.302 for Gasly), the two tricolors will therefore start at the very end of the grid this Saturday. “We knew it would be complicated. This is where we are. We anticipated it. You have to do the best you can with what you have. It hurts to see yourself at the end of the grid,” lamented Pierre Gasly at the microphone of Canal +. In front of them, there will be the two Saubers of Zhou and Bottas (16th and 17th respectively) and the Williams of Logan Sargeant (18th). But there will be work to do before getting points.
