F1 Bahrain Grand Prix Qualifying 3-1-24

What a start to Red Bull and Ferrari at the Bahrain International Circuit for the 2024 season. The anticipation of these results can be a glimpse of tomorrow’s race or any potential challenges ahead for the season.

Q1

Starting in Q1 Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) starts off the pace at 1:31.208 followed by Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) at +0.052. Ferrari at a strong start, even with practicing with only one car shared to practice days prior. Both Ferrari drivers end at P1 and P7 as they move onto Q2, Leclerc eager to do better for a podium and Sainz working hard to stay at the top.

Mclaren not off the best start in talks of this track may not be good for Mclaren, but Lando Norris (Mclaren) surpasses Sainz’s pace at 1:30.143. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) takes the lead at 1:30.031, Red Bull having different pace times than during practice leading to a possible new standing lineup of this championship. Thanks to their 3 days of practice days before qualifying, this helped the drivers become more familiar to the track.

Haas surprisingly making it to P14 & P15 – Nico Hülkenberg : Kevin Magnussen. This is a huge step for the Haas team due to their past seasons, this could perhaps bring in important points if this progress keeps up.

Unfortunately at the end of Q1 both Kick Sauber drivers – Valtteri Bottas : Zhou Guanyu and both Alpine drivers – Esteban Icon & Pierre Gasly were knocked out, unable to move to Q2.

Q2

Leclerc is sounding frustrated about the car, as mentioned both him and Sainz shared one car during their practice so he may not be as composed in it as to his opponent. But, halfway through Leclerc is gaining a smoother and faster pace than before and everyone else, which leads him to finish Q2 at P1 – 1:29.165. Sainz moves down to P3 as Max Verstappen makes his way up to P2 below Leclerc by +0.209.

George Russell has an issue with his back gears on turn 4, so they will look into that after qualifications. Both Mercedes fighting hard to place out of the Elimination Zone at the last minute.. in result – Russell (P7) : Hamilton (P4).

Both Ferrari, Merceds, Mclaren, Red Bull drivers make it to Q3. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) & Nico Hülkenberg (Haas F1 Team) both make it as well to start P10< for tomorrows race, this is a great start for these two teams.

Q3

We start off with Verstappen taking P1 with a very good pace at 1:29.421, to which the others are driven to beat. At the 6min. mark Leclerc is right behind short by +0.059, Russell makes his way back up just behind +0.182 despite his struggle during Q2 with turn signals.

Alonso was not having the best pace by missing the apex at 8 but he then fights in the middle sector to get back on track.

Oscar Piastry had a small distraction incident close to the end as he his building up to 200 to finish his lap but both Ferrari’s come onto the track therefore Piastry has to be careful. Lando Norris had a steady pace but only placed at P7 for Q3.

George made the big progress of placing at P3 because within a week of him mainly having a good race pace but not qualifying pace. As said by Russell Red Bull is still far ahead to catch up but tomorrow will be a close race.

Ferrari had the decision to put on new set softs during Q1 when it was unnecessary, this compromised the rhythm when Leclerc was then sent out with a new set for his final few runs. In result he places P2 behind Verstappen once again at P1.