Valtteri Bottas recovered from a messy Friday practice session to secure pole position during qualifying for the Sakhir Grand Prix. George Russell who is filling in for Covid-19 stricken Lewis Hamilton was narrowly pipped to pole. Max Verstappen was narrowly pipped into third missing out on pole by less than half-a-tenth. Teammate Alex Albon was eliminated in the second part of qualifying after he put in a lackluster display for Red Bull Honda. Albon was only 4-tenths from Verstappen’s time. But with the times being close due to the short circuit layout, 4-tenths is more like 4-seconds.

Charles Leclerc was a credible 4th for Ferrari just 2-tenths further away and Sergio Perez rounded up the top five. Russell was narrowly beaten to pole, however, he did the job that was expected of him and in the end, it was a fine unflustered and professional display. Russell quickly adapted to a new environment and car, not an easy task with 48 hours of preparation.

However, it’s job done for qualifying, but in Formula One Sunday is where races and podiums are won and lost. The qualifying times are close at Sakhir which gives an insight for a tight and tense race, as such a battle will rage at the front for the spoils of victory.

2020 Sakhir Grand prix Qualifying: Results

Q1 107% time –