Sakhir GP: Bottas beats Russell by only 0s026 and takes pole; Fittipaldi starts at 20 | Formula 1

The big surprise of the session was Charles Leclerc, who led Ferrari to an unlikely second row, fourth, ahead of Racing Point’s Sergio Pérez. The top ten, from sixth to tenth, were completed by Daniil Kvyat (AlphaTauri), Daniel Ricciardo (Renault), Carlos Sainz Jr. (McLaren), Pierre Gasly (AlphaTauri) and Lance Stroll (Racing Point).

Substitute for Romain Grosjean, who suffered a serious accident last Sunday, Pietro Fittipaldi was 20th in practice, but, sanctioned for changing engine components, he would start in that position anyway.

The Sakhir Formula 1 GP begins at 2:10 p.m. (Brasilia time) this Sunday, with live broadcast on SporTV2.

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BOTTLE: “It’s good to see George close the front row. It’s good to be on pole, it wasn’t my best qualifying, but happy was enough.”

RUSSELL: “Very satisfied, but devastated to lose pole. If you had told me that I was qualifying second last week, I would not have believed you. Tomorrow will be difficult … but I’ll see what I can do.”

VERSTAPPEN: “I’m happy to be third, I tried to be as close as I could, it was a little closer than normal, but I think the layout (of the track) explains it. We are also starting with different tires (soft versus medium), so it will be interesting. I’m looking forward to it! ”

What you need to know?

– Fifth pole for Valtteri Bottas in the 2020 season and 16th in his career.

– George Russell’s front row in F1, but the first time he’s beaten by a teammate in qualifying.

– Charles Leclerc starts fourth for the fourth time in the championship.

– For the fourth time in 2020, Alexander Albon is out of the top ten.

Q1 – 18 minutes and five eliminated

Pietro Fittipaldi was the first driver to enter the track. Already aware of the punishment for changing car components, the Brazilian was 0s4 behind his teammate Kevin Magnussen in the first attempt. Then he improved his time two more times, but passed 20, to 7: 7 of the Danish. It’s worth noting that Fittipaldi needed to give Magnussen a gap, which compromised the best lap on the tire.

Among the favorites, Bottas scored 54s607 on his first timed lap, while Russell was 0s170 behind. But Perez outscored both and hit 54s267 to take the lead, with Stroll ahead of Russell in third place. With eight minutes to go, Verstappen made 54s037 and took the lead. In the end, Bottas improved and regained first place, with 53s904.

Two Haas and two Williams cars were eliminated, as well as Kimi Raikkonen’s Alfa Romeo. The highlight for Jack Aitken, who was less than 0s1 behind Williams teammate and regular owner Nicholas Latifi. Alexander Albon was close to elimination, 15th.

16th KEVIN MAGNUSSEN (HAAS)
17th NICHOLAS LATIFI (WILLIAMS)
18th JACK AITKEN (WILLIAMS)
19th KIMI RAIKKONEN (ALFA ROMEO)
XX PIETRO FITTIPALDI (HAAS)

Q2 – 15 minutes and five eliminated

Bottas started Q2 in 53s803, with Russell just 0s016 behind, both on medium tires, and Verstappen, on soft tires, with 54s006. As these were their best laps, these were defined as the sets of tires they will start with.

With seven minutes to go, Pérez was ahead with 53s787. Sainz got into the Mercedes in third place and Stroll jumped into fifth. Only 0s053 separated the first five to five minutes from the end.

In the last minute, Verstappen came out of a dangerous position to risk being eliminated and set the fastest time, with 53s647. At the end of Q2 with surprises, Norris was only in 15th place, and Albon was disqualified in 12th place.

11th ESTEBAN OCON (RENAULT)
12th ALEXANDER ALBON (RBR)
XIII SEBASTIAN VETTEL (FERRARI)
14 ANTONIO GIOVINAZZI (ALFA ROMEO)
15th LANDO NORRIS (McLAREN)

Q3: ten minutes and contest for pole

Bottas had 53s760 at the opening of Q3, while Russell was 0s2 behind, but they were both overtaken by Verstappen, who did 53s591, and even Leclerc, who was surprised to be only 0s022 of the best time so far. Soon after, Pérez was fourth, ahead of Russell.

With seven minutes to go, Pérez was ahead with 53s787. Sainz got into the Mercedes in third place and Stroll jumped into fifth. Only 0s053 separated the first five to five minutes from the end.

On the second attempt, Bottas hit a strong 53s377, with Russell taking second place by scoring 53s519. In the last series of laps thrown, none of the top finishers improved, and Bottas secured a guaranteed pole position.