GP – Qualifying: Kubica takes his first pole!

The weather is excellent at the Bahrain circuit for this qualifying session: 29°C in the air, 44°C on the track, a wind of 3.8 m/s, and 28% humidity. However, the wind strength can greatly disrupt the balance of the cars.

The first round begins and the first to go out is Nelson Piquet, followed by the Frenchman Sébastien Bourdais. Nelsinho is the first to record a baseline time: 1:34.945 for the R28 number 6. But his time is overtaken by Nico Rosberg, then by Jarno Trulli. See the F2SA live

However, the McLarens are out: Hamilton clocks the three sectors and achieves a time of 1:32.758, taking P1. His teammate Heikki Kovalainen takes 2nd place. We’re waiting for the Ferraris to compare performances.

Some teams are already putting on soft tires, allowing Alonso to take the 3rd best time. The red single-seaters make a big impact: Massa takes the best performance with a 1:31.937, while Räikkönen secures P2.

We wave the red flag, as Takuma Sato has lost control of his Super Aguri in the last corner. For now, we note the sublime performance of Sébastien Bourdais who holds P10, and his ticket to Q2, however the session is not over.

It’s the end of this first part, and at the top of the grid, we find Massa, Trulli, Räikkönen, and Hamilton. Conversely, at the bottom of the grid, those eliminated are: Coulthard (17), Fisichella (18), Vettel (19), Sutil (20), Davidson (21), and Sato (22). Notably, Bourdais delivered a very good performance, advancing to the second qualifying session.

It’s off again for the argument over the second qualifying session with Nelson Piquet and Fernando Alonso leading the charge. The first benchmark time is set by the Spanish driver: 1:32.586.

The top teams take to the track, and Massa breaks the weekend record: 1.31.188 for the Brazilian driver, Kovalainen takes P2, Kubica P3, Hamilton is P4, and Räikkönen is 5th. After these first laps, the track is calm, awaiting the final rush of Q2.

After a fratricidal struggle, the eliminated are as follows: Webber (11), Barrichello (12), Glock (13), Piquet (14), Bourdais (15), and Nakajima (16). Noteworthy performances from Kovalainen, who is P2 ahead of his teammate, and from Button, who secures a place in Q3.

Button and Rosberg are the first to go out to start the last session. Most of the drivers are on hard tires, running to burn off fuel. All the cars are on the track, and before the first tire change, the best time is Massa’s at 1:33.339.

The new tires fitted, everyone heads out again to start the real battle. And it’s incredible, Robert Kubica sets the fastest time! The Polish driver secures the first pole position of his career, right under Felipe Massa’s nose. Hamilton takes P3, Räikkönen is P4. Kovalainen takes P5, Heidfeld in 6th position, Trulli is 7th, Rosberg P8, Button 9th and Alonso P10.

This qualifying session ends with a pleasant surprise, Robert Kubica’s pole position. However, tomorrow’s race promises to be captivating, with likely different strategies and the absence of traction control making the races very uncertain!

Source: www.Toilef1.com

Qualifying Results – Bahrain

Watch the F2SA live