Jack Doohan on pole ahead of Théo Pourchaire in Bahrain

One Australian can hide another! After the champion's impressive season Oscar piastri last year in Formula 2, it’s Jack Doohan (Virtuosi) who started the 2022 financial year with a bang. The Aussie indeed dominated Theo Pourchaire (ART Grand Prix) and Jüri Vips (Hitech Grand Prix) in qualifying, thanks in particular to a decisive staggered strategy.

With the new rule prohibiting refueling with gasoline during qualifying sessions, the reigning vice-champion of the Formula 3 decided to only use one set of tires, with, as one can easily imagine, a minimum of fuel on board. This allowed him to set the best lap in 1'40″542 midway through the session, thanks to a perfectly negotiated lap. 

Excellent result also for Théo Pourchaire. The Frenchman, who is one of the big favorites for the champion title, set the second time and will therefore start on the front row of the main race, scheduled for Sunday at 11:40 a.m. The Grassois rider was scared after seeing his best lap invalidated due to track limits, just four minutes from the end of the timer. But a very good second lap on the rubber allowed him to beat Jüri Vips. Also note the beautiful session of Carlin, with Logan sargeant and Liam Lawson 4th and 6th respectively. 

Prema withdrawn

As soon as it started, the session was interrupted by the waving of the red flag even though the light had been green for less than a minute. The young Ayumu Iwasa (DAMS), French F4 champion in 2020, indeed spun on his lap exiting the pits, between turns 2 and 3. The Japanese finished in the gravel, forced to retire. It's a big blow for the Le Mans team DAMS, which also narrowly missed out on reverse grid pole with the 11th place of Roy Nissany (DAMS). 

Ultimately it is Felipe Drugovich (MP Motorsport) who will start from the leading position this Saturday at 17:40 p.m. during the sprint race. His French teammate Clément Novalak, on the other hand, experienced more difficulties with an 18th place, just ahead of Frederik Vesti (19th, ART Grand Prix). 

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Team and driver champion last year, Prema had a poor first qualifying. Its most experienced driver, the Indian Jehan Daruvala (+0″573), only set the 7th fastest time, while the reigning Formula 3 champion Dennis Hauger finished 15th, almost a second behind the pole.