Verstappen Takes Bahrain GP Pole, 0.298s Clear of Hamilton

Key Takeaways

Who led qualifying after the first runs?

Max Verstappen led after the first runs, holding provisional pole by 0.3s from Isack Hadjar. The update came from journalist Chris Medland, who reported that all drivers except Kimi Antonelli had completed their first runs.

Lewis Hamilton, Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc were described as close behind the top two, so the order behind the provisional front row was tight at that stage.

Verstappen then took pole position with a 1:35.130, 0.298s ahead of Lewis Hamilton (official timing).

Where was Antonelli in the session?

Kimi Antonelli was the only driver yet to complete a first run when the update was posted. That meant his position was still open while the others had set their times.

Provisional positions were still subject to change as drivers improved on later runs. Antonelli went on to set the fourth-fastest lap of qualifying, 0.501s off Verstappen’s pole time (official timing).

What is Hadjar’s penalty?

Isack Hadjar has a five-place grid drop for a power unit penalty. The source gives no further detail on the nature of the penalty.

This means his strong early time in qualifying will not translate directly into his starting position on the grid for the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Fans of the Mercedes driver can browse the Kimi Antonelli collection.

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