2024-03-01 19:08:56
Lewis Hamilton’s best time in the second training session in Bahrain gave many Mercedes fans hope for a strong performance by the seven-time world champion in qualifying. But the expectations were not met, the 103-time GP winner made it to Q3, but ended up in ninth place.
What would have been possible was shown by his teammate George Russell, who set the third-fastest lap, putting him behind pole-setter Max Verstappen and Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc. The young Briton was almost three tenths away from the top. His teammate, however, was more than five tenths slower than the champion in the Red Bull Racing racer.
Nevertheless, Hamilton assured followingwards in front of the camera: “It was fun, even if of course it wasn’t the result I was hoping for. But that can happen.” He wasn’t surprised because he took a risk when setting up the vehicle. “I probably chose a direction that was probably the wrong one for qualifying, but I hope it’s the right one for the race.”
The 39-year-old later enthused on Sky Sports F1: “I think George’s result and his pace really underline how hard the team has worked over the winter. It’s great to have a car we can fight with.” And he explained: “Yesterday it went really well. George and I had the same vote, but he then went left and I went right. Right was definitely not good for a single lap, but I felt more comfortable with more gas on board. That’s why I hope that it will pay off in the race.”
Hamilton admitted that it would certainly be hard work to get past the fast cars that started in front of him. “But it will certainly be fun,” he added belligerently.
Qualifying, Bahrain
01. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, 1:29,179 min
02. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, 1:29,407
03. George Russell (GB), Mercedes, 1:29,485
04. Carlos Sainz (E), Ferrari, 1:29.507
05. Sergio Pérez (MEX), Red Bull Racing, 1:29.537
06. Fernando Alonso (E), Aston Martin, 1:29.542
07. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, 1:29.614
08. Oscar Piastri (AUS), McLaren, 1:29.683
09. Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes, 1:29,710
10. Nico Hülkenberg (D), Haas, 1:30.502
11. Yuki Tsunoda (J), Racing Bulls, 1:30,129
12. Lance Stroll (CDN), Aston Martin, 1:30,200
13. Alex Albon (T), Williams, 1:30,221
14. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS), Racing Bulls, 1:30.278
15. Kevin Magnussen (DK), Haas, 1:30.529
16. Valtteri Bottas (FIN), Sauber, 1:30.756
17. Guanyu Zhou (RCH), Sauber, 1:30,757
18. Logan Sargeant (USA), Williams, 1:30,770
19. Esteban Ocon (F), Alpine, 1:30,793
20. Pierre Gasly (F), Alpine, 1:30,948
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