Mercedes AMG’s Lewis Hamilton managed to secure pole position for the 2015 Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix, but he’s going to have his work cut out for him come tomorrow’s race as Ferrari’s four-time world champion driver Sebastian Vettel will also be starting on the front row. Hamilton’s time in Q3 was 1:32.571, with Vettel posting a 1:32.982.
This represents Hamilton’s fourth pole in as many races this season, and it’s also his first for the Bahrain International Circuit where the race is being held. Considering Ferrari has been close to matching the pace of Mercedes this weekend, we should be in for a great race tomorrow.
The third fastest during today’s qualifying session was Mercedes’ other driver Nico Rosberg, who posted a 1:33.129 in Q3. He, together with Ferrari’s other driver Kimi Räikkönen, fourth fastest today with a 1:33.227, will fill out the second row.
Positions five and six on the grid have gone to Williams drivers Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa respectively, and in a show of some of the greatness we saw last season Infiniti Red Bull Racing’s Daniel Ricciardo secured seventh on the grid despite the ongoing troubles with his car. Eighth place, meanwhile, went to Force India’s Nico Hulkenberg.
In positions nine and ten on the grid tomorrow will be Toro Rosso’ Carlos Sainz and Lotus’ Romain Grosjean respectively.
There were few dramas today, though McLaren’s Jenson Button needed to retire early due to—you guessed it—car trouble. His McLaren teammate Fernando Alonso, meanwhile, was knocked out after Q2.
Going into tomorrow’s race, Hamilton remains on top of the 2015 Drivers’ Championship standings with 68 points versus Vettel in second with 55 points and Rosberg in third with 51 points. In the Constructors’ Championship, Mercedes leads with 119 points versus the 79 of Ferrari and 48 of Williams.
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