Bottas keeps Mercedes debutant Russell in check

“I’m happy, but also a little disappointed that it wasn’t enough,” said Russell. The Brit, who usually sits in the slowest car in the field at Williams, stepped in at short notice in Sakhir for Hamilton, who was infected with the coronavirus. “If you had told me that last week, I wouldn't have believed you,” said Russell, who will start the race from the front row of the grid for the first time at the Grand Prix on Sunday (18.10:16 p.m.). “The future belongs to him,” said Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff, praising the Brit Russell. For his rival Bottas it was the XNUMXth pole position of his career. The Dutchman Max Verstappen came third in a Red Bull. Vettel with problems Sebastian Vettel failed once again prematurely. In 13th place, he missed the final round and was again slower than his Ferarri teammate Charles Leclerc, who finished fourth. “I actually had a good feeling and don’t know what went wrong,” said Vettel.

For the 33-year-old, the working day had already started with bad news. During the final training session, the mechanics discovered a problem with the Ferrari's engine, so the drive unit had to be replaced in the three hours before qualifying began. “That shouldn’t have mattered, the boys did a good job,” said the German. As so often this year, Vettel now has to try to fight his way forward from midfield.

Charles Leclerc surprised with fourth place. © APA/afp / HAMAD I MOHAMMED

In terms of sport, the penultimate Grand Prix of the turbulent emergency season on Sunday no longer has any decisive significance. Mercedes is already confirmed as constructors' world champion, and Hamilton has also long since secured his seventh world title. However, due to his illness, the superstar is missing out on the chance to equal the record of 13 wins this season. The 35-year-old won eleven times this year. It remains unclear whether he will be fit for action again in time for the season finale next weekend in Abu Dhabi. Aitken is doing well The Frenchman Romain Grosjean also has to take a break in Bahrain. The Haas driver had a serious accident last Sunday when his car broke in a crash and burst into flames. The 34-year-old survived the horror accident with burns on the back of his hands and was able to leave the hospital after three days. A comprehensive investigation into what happened should clarify in the coming weeks whether Formula 1 needs to take further safety measures.

For Grosjean, Brazilian Pietro Fittipaldi, grandson of two-time world champion Emerson Fittipaldi, will be playing for the first time in Sakhir. The 24-year-old didn't make it past last place in qualifying and was therefore slower than the second debutant. The Briton Jack Aitken, Williams' representative for Russell, who was on loan to Mercedes, returned to the garage in 18th place.

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Bottas keeps Mercedes debutant Russell in check

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