F1: Bahrain GP Grid Line-up Hamilton On The Pole
F1 took another shot at elimination qualifying in Bahrain early Sunday, after a boring debut for the new format in Australia 2 weeks ago at Albert Park.
The controversial hybrid power units proved their worth in the desert heat as reigning world Champion Lewis Hamilton edged out his MercedesABG teammate Nico Rosberg to take the Pole the fastest lap ever around the Bahrain International Circuit.
Even more exciting than Mr. Lewis’ record lap, the 2nd and final Q3 runs came down to a straight fight between MercedesAMG and Ferrari Team Scuderia, with Daniel Ricciardo’s TAG-engined Red Bull close behind.
Sunday’s F1 Bahrain GP qualifying results also bode well for the McLaren-Honda team which, despite not having the services of their Champion driver, Fernando Alonso, made it comfortably into Q2 with rookie Stoffel Vandoorne putting his car on the grid ahead of 2009 Champion Jenson Button. It was an impressive debut for the reigning GP2 champion, and one which casts a shadow over Mr. Button’s Y 2017 prospects at McLaren.
You can see how qualifying shook out for the field in the results table, below.
Check it out
| FORMULA ONE 2016: BAHRAIN GP QUALIFYING – RESULTS | ||||
| DRIVER NO. | DRIVER | TEAM | TIME | GRID POS. |
| 44 | LEWIS HAMILTON | MERCEDES | 1:29.493 | 1 |
| 6 | NICO ROSBERG | MERCEDES | 1:29.570 | 2 |
| 5 | SEBASTIAN VETTEL | FERRARI | 1:30.012 | 3 |
| 7 | KIMI RÄIKKÖNEN | FERRARI | 1:30.244 | 4 |
| 3 | DANIEL RICCIARDO | RED BULL RACING | 1:30.854 | 5 |
| 77 | VALTTERI BOTTAS | WILLIAMS | 1:31.153 | 6 |
| 19 | FELIPE MASSA | WILLIAMS | 1:31.155 | 7 |
| 27 | NICO HULKENBERG | FORCE INDIA | 1:31.620 | 8 |
| 8 | ROMAIN GROSJEAN | HAAS | 1:31.756 | 9 |
| 33 | MAX VERSTAPPEN | TORO ROSSO | 1:31.772 | 10 |
| 55 | CARLOS SAINZ | TORO ROSSO | 1:31.816 | 11 |
| 47 | STOFFEL VANDOORNE | MCLAREN | 1:31.934 | 12 |
| 21 | ESTEBAN GUTIERREZ | HAAS | 1:31.945 | 13 |
| 22 | JENSON BUTTON | MCLAREN | 1:31.998 | 14 |
| 26 | DANIIL KVYAT | RED BULL RACING | 1:32.241 | 15 |
| 94 | PASCAL WEHRLEIN | MANOR | 1:32.806 | 16 |
| 9 | MARCUS ERICSSON | SAUBER | 1:32.840 | 17 |
| 11 | SERGIO PEREZ | FORCE INDIA | 1:32.911 | 18 |
| 20 | KEVIN MAGNUSSEN | RENAULT | 1:33.181 | 19 |
| 30 | JOLYON PALMER | RENAULT | 1:33.438 | 20 |
| 88 | RIO HARYANTO | MANOR | 1:34.190 | 21 |
| 12 | FELIPE NASR | SAUBER | 1:34.388 | 22 |
According to Motorsport.com, McLaren and Red Bull were instrumental in the decision to leave qualifying the way it was in Australia.
Bernie Ecclestone and the FIA wanted to continue using the format in Q1 and Q2, but revert to the prior arrangement in Q3.
McLaren and Red Bull objected to that proposal, arguing the format should go back to last year’s rules for all 3 qualifying sessions.
Since unanimity is required and since McLaren and Red Bull refused to agree to the modification proposed by Boss Ecclestone and the FIA, no change was permitted and the much despised new procedure will be with us for at least 1 more race.
Now, it is possible that the dispute will not be resolved until the mid-season break in August.
Many fans are not just shaking their heads, they are shaking their fists as insanity seems to be F1′ prevailing modus operandi in here.
A few more race weekends of cars staying in the garage instead of being out on track during qualifying could convince more fans than ever to look elsewhere for their motorsports entertainment.
See the F1 racing live.
Bahrain Grand Prix TV schedule (all times EDT)
Race: Sunday, 11 a.m. (NBCSN)
Live stream: NBC Sports Live Extra
Tune in…
Paul Ebeling
HeffX-LTN
The post F1: Bahrain GP Grid Line-up Hamilton On The Pole appeared first on Live Trading News.