Sebastian Vettel has taken pole position for the Bahrain Grand Prix, Ferrari's first in the Sakhir desert since 2007. The German's fastest lap was a 1:27.958, which was only marginally quicker than teammate Kimi Raikkonen's time. 

Raikkonen will start on the front row for the first time in Bahrain on Sunday. Behind the 2007 world champion is his compatriot Valtteri Bottas, who managed to get close to the Italian outfit, and ahead of his teammate Lewis Hamilton.

However, Hamilton will start tomorrow's race from ninth on the grid after Mercedes changed the gearbox on his car before the third practice session. The Briton will be looking to climb back upwards and minimise the potential loss of points to Ferrari.

Daniel Ricciardo was fifth for Red Bull, and there was severe disappointment for his teammate Max Verstappen. The Dutchman crashed out in Q1 after setting a lap time, meaning that he will line up on the grid tomorrow in P15.

Pierre Gasly put in an admirable effort, claiming the 'best of the rest' spot in his Toro Rosso-Honda. He will start from P5, ahead of the Haas of Kevin Magnussen and Renault's Nico Hulkenberg. 

Esteban Ocon managed to get the better of his teammate Sergio Perez, despite the Mexican having an updated front wing this weekend. Ocon will start from ninth, ahead of Sainz who rounds out the top ten on the timesheets.

Q1

As the green flag was waved, nobody rushed to get out onto the circuit. After a full minute, Charles Leclerc and Brendon Hartley were the first drivers to hit the circuit on the super soft tyre, the softest of the three available for the weekend.

Marcus Ericsson was the first to set a lap time, laying down a 1:31.9. That was quickly beaten by Leclerc, with Hartley slotting in behind the two Saubers. The Haas' went next, with Kevin Magnussen setting a 1:31.7. His teammate Grosjean failed to get near to Magnussen on his first lap.

Raikkonen headed out in the Ferrari on the soft tyres, and set a 1:28.9. Vettel then followed, going one-tenth down on Raikkonen and into P2. Bottas then set a lap, slotting in behind the Ferrari's on the soft tyres, before Hamilton too went slower than the Scuderia outfit in P4.

There was then a red flag deployed after Verstappen spun at Turn 2, hitting the barriers. The Dutchman was heard over the radio being very disgruntled with himself after his mistake. After the green flag was waved for the second time, the Renault's hit the circuit, looking to improve their times.

All the drivers from seventh place downwards then took to the track as the battle to get into Q2 heated up. In the final minutes, there was a big shock as Grosjean failed to get into Q2, setting the same lap time as Alonso. However, as Alonso set his time first, Grosjean missed out on the second session.

Drivers out in Q1: Grosjean, Ericsson, Sirotkin, Leclerc & Stroll

Q2

Going into Q2 there was another spot available for the midfield than usual thanks to the retirement of Max Verstappen in Q1, with the likes of the Toro Rosso’s, Haas’, Force India’s and McLaren’s looking to take a spot in Q3 which usually might not be available to them.

On the first runs, it was Pierre Gasly who impressed to go fastest of the midfield drivers, ahead of the Renaults, with both McLaren’s needing to improve to make a real impression on the top 10 shootout. Also, the likes of the Renaults looking much quicker than the Woking outfit at this point.

Meanwhile amongst the front runners the Ferrari of Sebastian Vettel was the pace setter in the front group, with it remaining tight between the two Ferrari’s who were split by only two tenths out front. However the Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton splitting the two cars on the soft tyres seemed ominous, despite the Brits grid penalty.

The battle for a spot in Q3 was eventually won by the Renault cars along with the Haas of Magnussen, Force India of Ocon and Toro Rosso of Gasly, while Toro Rosso impressed immensely. It managed to get both Honda-powered cars ahead of both McLarens, in a great showing for the team in only their second race of their partnership.

Drivers out in Q2: Hartley, Perez, Alonso, Vandoorne & Verstappen

Q3

Sainz was the first driver out as the third and final qualifying session got underway. He was soon followed by Gasly, and the Ferrari of Vettel. The Mercedes duo soon took to the circuit, Bottas ahead of his teammate Hamilton.

Sainz crossed the line and put a 1:30.6 on the board, but that was soon beaten by Gasly. However, both were then moved down by the Ferrari pair, as Raikkonen and Vettel went first and second. Bottas slotted into third, before being moved down by Hamiton who jumped in behind the Ferraris.

On the final runs, it looked initially as though Mercedes would challenge Ferrari. However, as the lap went on, it became apparent that the battle was strictly between the two Ferrari's and after Raikkonen failed to improve, Vettel capitalised and took yet another pole postion.

Fergal Walsh and Sam Gale

Photos Australia 2018

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