The starting grid for the Bahrain Grand Prix

A week after the Japanese disappointment, McLaren regained control over the competition thanks in particular to Oscar piastri, who will start from pole position on the grid for the Bahrain Grand Prix this Sunday.

In great form since the first laps on Friday, the Australian confirmed the trend during qualifying this Saturday. While Lando Norris experienced some difficulties during his last lap in Q3 with only the 6th time, Oscar Piastri was untouchable to sign the second pole position of his career, a few weeks after the first in China.

On the line, the McLaren driver got the better of George Russell (+0) and Charles Leclerc (+0“334).Andrea Kimi Antonelli and a Pierre Gasly who found their rhythm with the soft tires completed the Top 5. However, a few hours after qualifying, the two drivers Mercedes were penalized with a grid place. The fault lies with... Mercedes, who sent their drivers into the fast lane of the pits too early during the red flag, even before the official restart time was announced.

Besides Lando Norris' 6th time, Max Verstappen is another surprise in these qualifications with only the 7th fastest time on the starting grid of the Bahrain Grand Prix. In difficulty since the beginning of the weekend, the four-time world champion once again pointed out the braking problems of his Red Bull. He went ahead Carlos Sainz, Lewis Hamilton et Yuki tsunoda, in Q3 for the first time in its new colors.

Isack Hadjar missed out on a third consecutive Q3 by less than a tenth of a second after China and Japan. The Frenchman will start 12th, just behind Jack Doohan, who was in much better form in Bahrain.

Third Frenchman in the running, Esteban Ocon suffered a major crash in Q2. Although he didn't hit the car very hard, the Norman driver damaged his car a lot and may have to change many engine components on his Haas this Sunday. At the moment, he is 14th.

F1 – Bahrain Grand Prix
The starting grid

1) Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
2) Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
3) George Russell (Mercedes)
4) Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
5) Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
6) Lando Norris (McLaren)
7) Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
8) Carlos Sainz (Williams)
9) Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
10) Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull)
11) Jack Doohan (Alpine)
12) Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls)
13) Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
14) Esteban Ocon (Haas)
15) Alex Albon (Williams)
16) Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber)
17) Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)
18) Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber)
19) Lance stroll (Aston-Martin)
20) Oliver Bearman (Haas)

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