Nico Rosberg will start in pole position for the Bahrain Grand Prix as Mercedes dominated qualifying at the Sakhir circuit. It is the German's first pole position of the season and will start the race on the front row alongside Lewis Hamilton. Daniel Ricciardo qualified third but will start in 13th due to a ten place penalty which means that Valteri Bottas will start ahead of Sergio Perez on the second row. Sebastien Vettel surprisingly failed to make it into Q3 after just missing out in 11th. However, due to Ricciardo's penalty, the German will start the race in 10th.
My Opinion:
Mercedes - Rosberg (Pole), Hamilton (2nd). A brilliant day of qualifying for Mercedes who locked out the front row. Rosberg acquired his first pole position of the season and will be hoping to come away from tomorrow's race with his second win of the year. Trying to score two race wins in a row will be Hamilton, who was beaten to pole position for the first time this year. It should be a great battle between the two Mercedes drivers and I fully expect them to finish first and second.
McLaren - Button (7th), Magnussen (9th). It was a decent day of qualifying for Mclaren as both drivers will start in the top ten. Button claimed his best qualifying result of the season so far and looks set for a strong race in 7th whilst Magnussen endured his worst result from qualifying but should be looking to ascend the order from 9th. Points from both drivers look set to be taken.
Ferrari - Raikkonen (6th), Alonso (10th). Ferrari had an average day of qualifying and will probably be disappointed with where their cars will star the race. Raikkonen out-qualified his team-mate for the first time this season after qualifying in 6th but Alonso had a tough time of it after struggling for pace and could only manage 10th. Despite an average Saturday, I'm sure Ferrari will pick up the points tomorrow but a driver on the podium looks doubtful.
Williams - Bottas (4th), Massa (8th). It was Williams' best result in qualifying this season as but Bottas was the star man. It was Valteri's best qualifying result by a mile and will really fancy his chances of making the podium. Meanwhile, Massa enjoyed his best result in qualifying and should back Bottas up by providing Williams with a strong result in the race tomorrow.
Force India - Perez (5th), Hulkenberg (12th). Another mixed result for Force India as only one of their cars manages to make it into Q3. Perez was quite brilliant and completely turned his fortunes around by qualifying 5th. The Mexican will be delighted with that and will surely have a shout in making the podium. Hulkenberg has normally been pretty good in qualifying this season but couldn't manage to pull it off today after being knocked out in Q2. Disappointing result for him but I'm sure he will be in the hunt to take some points away from the race.
Red Bull - Ricciardo (3rd-13th), Vettel (11th). Despite Ricciardo qualifying third, his 10 place penalty means that Red Bull have failed to put a car in the top ten for the start of the race. Who would have believed that after their recent era of dominance? Ricciardo was actually pretty impressive and outshone Vettel one again this season but will have to fight it out in the middle order to come away with points. Vettel struggled for pace, and not for the first time this year, after failing to make it into Q3. I'm certain the Red Bulls will climb up the order tomorrow but they need to sort out their performances on Saturdays.
Toro Rosso - Kvyat (13th), Vergne (14th). That was Toro Rosso's worst result in qualifying this year and they keep falling further down the field at each event. Kvyat was the faster of the two drivers for the first time this season but to be without a driver in the top ten will be a huge disappointment for the team. I'm not entirely convinced about their credentials for picking up points from the race as their are faster and better teams out there.
Sauber - Gutierrez (15th), Sutil (18th-22nd). Sauber's struggles continue. It was a tough day out there for Sauber as only one driver made it into Q2. Gutierrez will start from 15th but points seem out of the question. Sutil failed to make it into Q2 and could only qualify 18th but a penalty means that he will start from the back of the grid. Looks like it could be a long old race for Sauber who don't have much to look forward to.
Lotus - Grosjean (16th), Maldonado (17th). It was the same result that they achieved in Malaysia for Lotus who continue to fall short of expectations. Grosjean managed to make it into Q2 but that's really all that can be said for his efforts. Meanwhile, Maldonado was knocked out in Q1 for an early finish to his qualifying. Things are looking pretty down in the dumps at Lotus who haven't built a competitive car as yet and will most likely struggle through the race.
Caterham - Kobayashi (19th), Ericsson (21st). Caterham will be pleased that they were the faster team compared to Marussia as Kobayashi was the quickest out of the four drivers at the back of the grid. Ericsson was second slowest around the track today but will fancy his chances of beating the Marussia's to the finish line.
Marussia - Bianchi (20th), Chilton (22nd). Marussia endured their worst qualifying result of the season as they found themselves to be the slowest cars out on track. Bianchi split the two Caterham's but Chilton clocked the slowest time around Sakhir today.
Qualifying Result and Starting Grid:
Q3
Pole. Rosberg (Mercedes) 1.33.185
2. Hamilton (Mercedes)
3. Ricciardo (Red Bull) 10 place penalty - will start in 13th
4. Bottas (Williams)
5. Perez (Force India)
6. Raikkonen (Ferrari)
7. Button (McLaren)
8. Massa (Williams)
9. Magnussen (McLaren)
10. Alonso (Ferrari)
Q2
11. Vettel (Red Bull)
12. Hulkenberg (Force India)
13. Kvyat (Toro Rosso)
14. Vergne (Toro Rosso)
15. Gutierrez (Sauber)
16. Grosjean (Lotus)
Q1
17. Maldonado (Lotus)
18. Sutil (Sauber) 10 place penalty - will start in 22nd
19. Kobayashi (Caterham)
20. Bianchi (Marussia)
21. Ericsson (Caterham)
22. Chilton (Marussia)
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