Max qualifies P15 after crash: "Suddenly 150bhp extra"

Published on 07 April 2018 by Stefan Meens

Max Verstappen will start the Bahrain Grand Prix from fifteenth on the grid. The Dutchman crashed his Aston Martin Red Bull Racing in the first part of qualifying. Max lost the car in turn 2, with the RB14 hitting the wall as a result, ending the youngster's quali session prematurely. Meanwhile, Ferrari secured a front row lock-out with Sebastian Vettel taking pole ahead of Kimi Raikkonen. The latter's compatriot, Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes), completes the top three. 

"It was unfortunate. We've just studied the data an we saw I suddenly had 150bhp extra. That is weird. It's a corner that isn't full throttle. You're easy on the throttle and all of a sudden you have 150 horsepower more so I was caught out. It was like an on-off switch. It meant the rear tyres spun and I lost control. It is a shame to start from fifteenth because there was a possibility of being in the top three." 

Despite a disappointing qualifying, Max remains positive: "Our race pace is good and you can overtake here. So with a bit of luck, and a safetycar, a top five finish should be possible. At least we will have some more action tomorrow.

At the start of qualifying it is business as usual. All drivers set their 'banker' laps before attempting to find more speed in their second run. As Max heads into his second timed lap, the Dutchman loses control of his RB14 in turn 2. He spins and ends up in the tyre wall with a mangled front suspension. The session red-flagged to allow the marshall to clear the debris. 

Despite crashing out, Max' first time is enough to make it through to Q2. The drivers that do not make the cut are both Williams, both Saubers and Romain Grosjean (Haas). 

The first driver to strand in Q2 is obviously Max. He is joined by Brendan Hartley (Toro Rosso) and Sergio Perez (Force India) and, surprisingly, the McLarens of Stoffel Vandoorne and Fernando Alonso. 

In the final part of qualifying, Ferrari set the pace. Valtteri Bottas comes close to splitting the two Ferraris in his second run, but Kimi Raikkonen restores order by claiming second, behind Sebastian Vettel. Lewis Hamilton qualified in fourth, behind his Mercedes team mate. The world champion will start the race from P9 after a gearbox change resulted in a five place grid penalty. It means Daniel Ricciardo will start the Bahrain Grand Prix in fourth. 

The positive surprise in qualifying was Scuderia Toro Rosso's Pierre Gasly. The Frenchman set the sixth fastest time and will line up fifth on the grid. 

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Results qualifying Bahrain: