Max Verstappen third in qualifying Bahrain GP: 'Hope for an exciting race'

Published on 28 November 2020 by Kees-Jan Koster

Max Verstappen qualified third for the Bahrain Grand Prix. The Dutchman seemed to be able to split the two Mercedes after the first runs in Q3, but the German formation was again to strong. Lewis Hamilton took pole position with a 1:27.264 with teammate Valtteri Bottas almost three tenths behind. Max secured third position with a 1:27.678 and will start the race from the second starting row with teammate Alexander Albon besides him.

“My lap was pretty good”, says Verstappen after qualifying. “In the lower speed corners I had a bit less grip than I wanted, but overall it was a decent qualifying. I am looking forward to the race tomorrow, it is going to be hard for the tyres.”

The Aston Martin Red Bull Racing driver is unsure if it will be possible to challenge the Mercedes tomorrow: “It is hard to say. They picked up their pace today, so it will be hard to beat them. We have different tyres available, so let’s see if that works to our advantage. I will try to stay close to the Mercedes cars and hope it will be an exciting race.”

At the start of qualifying it is twenty-six degrees, with a track temperature of 28 degrees. Max Verstappen comes out on track, which is lit by artificial lighting, after less than three minutes into the session and sets his first lap time (1:28.885). Both Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas go faster, so after the first run Max is in third position.

Max does not come out again in the first qualifying session, but his lap time is enough to get him through to Q2 in fifth position. Antonio Giovinazzi, Kimi Räikkönen, Kevin Magnussen, Romain Grosjean and Nicholas Latifi are the first five drivers to drop out of qualifying.

At the beginning of the second qualifying session we see all drivers, except the AlphaTauri drivers, to leave the pitlane on the medium compound tyres. When virtually everyone started their timed lap, Carlos Sainz suddenly loses control over his McLaren when braking for turn one. The orange-blue car does not move any more and the session is red flagged.

After a short delay, the session is continued. Max is again the first to set a time (1:28.025). Lewis Hamilton improves this time not much later with a 1:27.586. Followed by Valtteri Bottas (+0.477), Alexander Albon (+1.163), Lando Norris (+1.291) and Sergio Pérez (+1.308) forming the top six.

Just as in the first qualifying session Verstappen decides to leave it at a single fun. The top three does not change, so the Red Bull driver safely goes through to Q3. Sebastian Vettel, Charles Leclerc, Lance Stroll and George Russell come short and together with Carlos Sainz must leave the fight.

Max Verstappen sets a 1:27.823 in his first lap in Q3. When the whole top ten has set a time, the Dutchman has split the two Mercedes. Lewis Hamilton with a 1:27.677 on provisional pole. Valtteri Bottas in third position is a tenth behind Verstappen.

In the second and last run Max improves his time with half a tenth, but he cannot prevent Lewis Hamilton to take pole position. The sevenfold world champion secures the first position on the grid with a 1:27.264 and teammate Valtteri Bottas, who takes P2, almost three tenths behind. Alexander Albon, Sergio Pérez and Daniel Ricciardo complete the top six.

Contest GP Bahrain: win a by Max signed Red Bull Racing driver cap!

Results qualifying Bahrain: