Formula 1: Verstappen gets first pole – penalty against Vettel

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen has secured the first pole position of the new Formula 1 season. In the fight for first place on the grid for the Bahrain Grand Prix (Sunday, from 5 p.m. in the LIVETICKER), Dutchman Lewis Hamilton in the Mercedes didn’t leave a chance, he relegated the world champion to second place by almost four tenths of a second. Hamilton’s team-mate Valtteri Bottas was third.

Sebastian Vettel had bad luck in his first qualifying for Aston Martin. On his fast lap he was slowed down by yellow flags because a competitor had spun. Vettel was eliminated in the first section and only finished 18th. He was one place ahead of debutant Mick Schumacher in the defeated Haas car.

“I got the yellow flag twice and then nothing worked,” said Vettel, “what would have been in it is hard to say, but I could have been a second faster.” Vettel would have moved in the top 10 area.

However, the race stewards apparently saw evidence that Vettel had not slowed down enough under the yellow flag and started an investigation. Vettel was moved five places back on Sunday afternoon, and he got three penalty points on his account – last starting place. The Heppenheimer was here without any offense, a driver is only banned from twelve points.

“We were already quite far behind, so it doesn’t make any difference. Hopefully we can come up with something clever for the strategy so that we can move forward and enjoy it on the way,” said Vettel when asked about the penalty.

Schumacher did what was possible at the Haas: he beat his team-mate Nikita Masepin. “In the end, I’m really happy with the result,” he said at Sky : “We knew that there wasn’t much going forward. Nevertheless, we were quite close.”

For Verstappen it was only the fourth pole position of his career and the second in a row: He was also right at the front at the season finale in Abu Dhabi last December and then won the race.

Formula 1 – qualifying in Bahrain: result

Formula 1: Qualifying at the Bahrain GP – live ticker for reading

Formula 1 – Qualifying in Bahrain: Goodbye

We say goodbye to the first qualifying in the 2021 season. The race continues tomorrow. We are curious to see if Verstappen can hold his place or if Hamilton hits back in racing trim. It starts at 5:00 p.m. We’ll be there live again and wish you a nice Saturday!

Formula 1 – Qualifying in Bahrain: German drivers out early

The German drivers should be anything but happy. It was to be expected that Mick Schumacher would be thrown out in Q1 due to the performance of Haas. The early departure of Vettel was, however, a surprise. The Heppenheimer was stuck in traffic and was slowed down by yellow flags after a spin through Mazepin.

Formula 1 – Qualifying in Bahrain: Verstappen lives up to the role of favorites

Max Verstappen started qualifying as the big favorite after three victories in practice. In the meantime it had looked as if Lewis Hamilton could still be dangerous for him, but in the end it was a solid lead of 0.338 seconds, which was between Verstappen and Hamilton. “We had a great week of testing, but that’s not a guarantee,” explained Verstappen in the subsequent FIA interview. “The car runs really well and it’s fun to drive. When it came down to it, we could perform.

Formel 1 – Qualifying in Bahrain: Ende Qualifying

Qualifying at the Bahrain International Circuit is over and everyone is returning to the pit lane. Behind the top 3 is Charles Leclerc. Pierre Gasly will be able to start tomorrow from the third row on the grid in fifth place. Daniel Ricciardo will stand next to him. Lando Norris, Carlos Sainz, Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll complete the top ten.

Formula 1 – Qualifying in Bahrain: Max Verstappen sets a new best time in Q3

Lewis Hamilton is in first position for a few seconds, but he can’t do anything against Max Verstappen. The Dutchman slams a 1: 28.997 and easily pulls past the British. That should be the pole, nobody from behind will be dangerous anymore!

Formula 1 – qualifying in Bahrain: scramble in the back seats

We know such pictures from last season. There is a lot of space in the front, but the drivers are bumping into the back and not everyone is happy with their position in the field. There were complaints over the radio from Gasy and Norris, among others.

Formula 1 – qualifying in Bahrain: the showdown begins!

The showdown begins and the drivers steer their cars back onto the track. This time everyone is on a fresh soft tire! Now it will be exciting to see whether someone can still grab Verstappen or whether the first Pole of the season will go to the Netherlands.

Formula 1 – qualifying in Bahrain: it’s back to the pits

The seven drivers go back to the pits to prepare for the final run in Q3. On the other hand, Lance Stoll has just driven out and now wants to use the empty route.

Formula 1 – Qualifying in Bahrain: Bottas on used tires

After his first run, Valtteri Bottas is almost seven tenths behind Verstappen and also worlds behind his teammate. In his defense it has to be said that he was on a used tire. Sainz, Ricciardo and Norris also rode on a used set.

Formula 1 – Qualifying in Bahrain: Max Verstappen sets a new best time in Q3

It doesn’t take long before the first runs are over. Max Verstappen had the best time with 1: 29.526 minutes. Hamilton has not yet given up the battle for pole. With 0.023 minutes he lurks in second place behind Verstappen. Gasly is third.

Formula 1 – Qualifying in Bahrain: It’s all about the flying laps

The first drivers are going on the flying lap. Daniel Ricciardo starts, followed by Pierre Gasly. Verstappen will graduate. Leclerc, Alonso and Stroll did not go out. Probably there will only be one run in Q3.

Formula 1 – Qualifying in Bahrain: It’s fast on the track

For the drivers, it’s faster on the track this time and of course the soft tire is now the first choice.

Formula 1 – Qualifying in Bahrain: Q2 finished

The last drivers have completed their final laps. The poker with two mediums with Sergio Pérez and Yuki Tsunoda did not end. Both drop out! Qualifying is now over for Antonio Giovinazzi, Kimi Räikkönen and George Russell too.

Formula 1 – Qualifying in Bahrain: Carlos Sainz sets a new best time in Q2

At the end of Q2, the Ferrari drivers have once again made significant improvements. First Charles Leclerc takes the lead, shortly afterwards Sainz takes first position. Both were on the softest mix.

Formula 1 – qualifying in Bahrain: improvement of Pérez

Pérez manages to improve and he sits in fifth position. Pierre Gasly is just in front of him. Meanwhile, things are getting tight for his teammate. Tsunoda would have been eliminated in twelfth place.

Formula 1 – Qualifying in Bahrain: Medium again at AlphaTauri

AlphaTauri does not want to lose the start on the medium that quickly. Both drivers will also be sent out in the second run that has just started on the middle mix.

Formula 1 – qualifying in Bahrain: is he currently eliminated?

The two Alfa Romeo drivers are currently eliminated in Q2. Russell as well as Ricciardo and Pérez, both of whom have not yet had a timed lap on their account.

Formula 1 – Qualifying in Bahrain: The first runs are through

The first runs in Q2 have been made and all drivers are back in the pits. Now it will be exciting to see who will change the tire compound here again. AlphaTauri certainly, because Gasly and Tsunoda can only be found in places eight and nine.

Formula 1 – Qualifying in Bahrain: Deleted time for Pérez

Sergio Pérez, for his part, will have to say goodbye to his first time. Verstappen’s new team-mate was too far off the track at turn 4. Shortly afterwards, Ricciardo’s time is also deleted. He had gone too far too.

Formula 1 – Qualifying in Bahrain: Lewis Hamilton sets new best time in Q2

Lewis Hamilton can add more and with a 1: 30.085 pushes past the competitor in the Red Bull. He had lost Verstappen 0.233 seconds. Bottas is currently third ahead of Norris and Sainz.

Formula 1 – Qualifying in Bahrain: Max Verstappen sets a new best time in Q2

Max Verstappen was already through with the first flying lap and took the lead with a 1: 30.318. Can anyone top that?

Formula 1 – Qualifying in Bahrain: AlphaTauri on yellow too

Now the two AlphaTauri drivers are also steering their vehicles out of the pits. And here, too, it shows that you want to try the medium-hard mixture first.

Formula 1 – Qualifying in Bahrain: The first drivers are out

Nobody wants to start at first, but then the drivers take to the track in quick succession. Verstappen, Hamilton, Ricciardo, Norris, Pérez and Bottas try it on the medium. Only the AlphaTauri and Russell are still in the pits.

Formula 1 – Qualifying in Bahrain: Q2 started

The track is open again and now Q2 is about securing a place in the top 10. Meanwhile, a repetition shows that Carlos Sainz was really lucky at the end of Q1. His Ferrari had slowed down and stopped on the track. “The engine just stopped,” he reported over the radio. With 15th place he just slipped into Q2.

Formula 1 qualifying in Bahrain: investigations announced

Only a few minutes after the end of Q1, the FIA announced that they would like to take another look at all the lap times that were posted under yellow flags. So there could be a couple of penalties in the course of the evening if someone was too quick under yellow.

Formula 1 – Qualifying in Bahrain: Q1 finished

Q1 is over and there is a big surprise: Sebastian Vettel actually retires as 18th. “There was a lot of traffic,” he said over the radio. In addition to him, Esteban Ocon, Nicholas Latifi, Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin have also left.

Formula 1 – Qualifying in Bahrain: Yellow flag

Nikita Mazepin does his next spin and is sure to make life difficult for some drivers on the final lap. There are yellow flags!

Formula 1 – qualifying in Bahrain: three drivers stay in the pits

In the last few minutes, three pilots have not driven out. In addition to Max Verstappen, the two AlphaTauri did not leave the pits again.

Formula 1 – Qualifying in Bahrain: Who is currently out?

Just under two minutes remain on the clock. Esteban Ocon, who is currently eliminated, will be under pressure in this one. Latifi, Russell, Mazepin and Schumacher would not be part of the next round either.

Formula 1 – Qualifying in Bahrain: The next runs are off

It was only a short break and the first riders are already back on their outlap. Most of them have had fresh softs grown. Lewis Hamilton is on used tires.

Formula 1 – Qualifying in Bahrain: All drivers in the pits

After the first runs, the drivers drove back to the garages in a closed position. So far, Max Verstappen has confirmed his role as a favorite. Tsunoda was surprisingly quick. Sebastian Vettel is currently in 13th place, Schumacher is last.

Formula 1 – Qualifying in Bahrain: Pit radio Max Verstappen

Max Verstappen was a little wild about that. He comes out a long way at Turn 2 and asks his team to check the underbody on his next visit to the pits.

Formula 1 – Qualifying in Bahrain: Strong rookie

One of the three rookies can also really convince: Yuki Tsunoda steers his AlphaTauri to second position on the results list and is only 0.108 seconds behind Verstappen.

Formula 1 – Qualifying in Bahrain: Verstappen sets the new best time

Max Verstappen is through and Hamilton’s best time is gone again. With 1: 30.499 minutes, he slid past Hamilton by 0.118 seconds.

Formula 1 – Qualifying in Bahrain: Lewis Hamilton sets new best time in Q1

It goes quickly and just a minute later Norris has been passed back to seventh place. Lewis Hamilton has the new best time with a time of 1: 30.617. Sergio Pérez is currently second. Max Verstappen is not through yet.

Formula 1 qualifying in Bahrain: Lando Norris set a new best time in Q1

Lando Norris marks a new best time in Q1 and is the new leader with a 1: 31.754. But there is sure to be a lot more to come. There are some sector bests.

Formula 1 – Qualifying in Bahrain: It will be full

After a quiet start, it is now really full on the track. More and more drivers are coming onto the track and starting their qualifying. The AlphaTauri are taking a little more time, but are now on the line. Schumacher, for his part, turned to the pits.

Formula 1 – Qualifying in Bahrain: Schumacher sets first time in Q1

Since George Russell does not finish his lap and pits, it is Mick Schumacher who makes the first time in Q1. The teammate had his problems on the lap. After a spin in turn 13, his set of tires is over.

Formula 1 – Qualifying in Bahrain: The fast laps are on

While the other drivers are still standing in the pits, George Russell is on the first fast lap of this qualifying. He will be followed by Latifi, Mazepin and Schumacher.

Formel 1 – Qualifying in Bahrain: Start Qualifying

It’s set for the first qualifying of the 2021 season. In Q1, five drivers will have to say goodbye after 18 minutes. The Williams are the first to go out on the track. Mick Schumacher is also on the way.

Before start:

The Bahrain International Circuit is located in the Sakhir desert, just under 40 minutes from the capital Manama. The route was designed by the well-known German architect Hermann Tilke. The course has a total of 15 corners – nine on the right and six on the left. The track temperature has dropped to 35 degrees.

Before start:

Mick Schumacher, for his part, will certainly only be able to fight for the back positions on the starting line-up. The Haas is currently not offering any more. For him, the goal must therefore be to show that he has his team-mate Mazepin under control. Maybe he can sneak past one of the Williams?

Before start:

Verstappen was the clear favorite, but behind it the matter seems relatively open and, especially with the midfield teams, nobody can be sure that they will start from the top ten tomorrow. McLaren was strong on Friday but weakened in practice 3. Ferrari was also relatively far behind, but only used the medium. So there is still a lot more possible than the results of the last training session suggest.

Before start:

Sebastian Vettel does not yet feel completely comfortable in his new work device at Aston Martin and lost some time to get used to after a defect during the test drives. In the last training session, the Heppenheimer only came in 14th and so it seems that Q3 could be a difficult undertaking. But the way to Q3 will certainly not be a walk in the park for team mate Lance Stroll either.

Before start:

The test drives two weeks ago had already indicated that Mercedes might be vulnerable this season and the practice sessions on Friday and Saturday also showed that this time another one is the hot favorite for qualifying. Max Verstappen was able to confidently win all three trainings. But Red Bull’s sister team is also in excellent shape. Pierre Gasly finished the third training a few hours ago in third place, thereby breaking up the Mercedes duo.

Before start:

There are also three rookies in the field in the 2021 season. The most prominent addition is of course Mick Schumacher. The son of record world champion Michael Schumacher drives after his title in Formula 2 at Haas. Nikita Mazepin has also found a place there. The third newcomer is the Japanese Yuki Tsunoda, who should find the significantly faster company vehicle in the AlphaTauri. A lot has also happened in the driver pairings of the individual racing teams this season. Only Mercedes, Williams and Alfa Romeo drive with the same pairing as in 2020.

Before start:

Formula 1 has big plans again this year. Despite compulsory testing, travel restrictions and quarantine regulations due to Corona, the racing series wants to complete a record season with 23 races. There could possibly be sprint races, but that’s not fixed yet. In addition, two new teams can be found in the lists. Renault is now called Alpine F1 and is now starting with a blue paint job. Racing Point became Aston Martin. The traditional British brand is celebrating a comeback in the premier class after more than 60 years of absence. With Sebastian Vettel, who will drive alongside Lance Stroll. In 2021 there will also be the cost cap for the first time, as well as heavy cars and tightened regulations on the underbody. THAT is also now forbidden.

Before start:

After the practice sessions today, qualifying really gets down to business for the first time this season. Who will secure the front row? Where do Sebastian Vettel and Mick Schumacher end up?

Before start:

Qualifying starts at 4 p.m. Before that (1 p.m.) the drivers will complete the 3rd and final free practice session on the Bahrain International Circuit.

Before start:

Welcome to qualifying at the opening Grand Prix in Bahrain.

Formula 1: Qualifying at the Bahrain GP today on TV and livestream

Motorsport fans have the opportunity to watch the qualifying in Bahrain live and in full on Sky. The pay TV broadcaster will broadcast on Sky Sport F1 from 3:30 p.m. Sascha Roos comments that the former Formula 1 drivers Ralf Schumacher and Timo Glock are the experts.

Sky is also offering today’s Formula 1 day in a live stream. If you want to activate it, you have two options – a SkyGo subscription or a SkyTicket.

In Austria, ServusTV is responsible for the broadcast.

Formula 1: an overview of the field of drivers