Before the race weekend had even started it was rumoured that things were being ditched from the season: namely the Saudi Arabia and Bahrain races. If I haven't said it before, damn Trump!
Then we went into this session and Perez' Cadillac was not ready to race and stayed in the pits. Bortoleto and Bearman both went off on big trips through the gravel but made it through to the next session. There will be disappointment in Williams as Sainz and Albon were out, followed by Alonso and Stroll, Bottas and Perez. Two by two.
Verstappen was asking his team to check the "driveability" of the car between sessions. That's the sort of question I ask of a mechanic. The Red Bulls ended up ninth and tenth, with Verstappen having a big off. Russell was fastest with Antonelli behind him for the second session in a row. I'm not sure why Mercedes went out for a second run when Ferrari didn't. Out went Hulkenberg, Ocon, Lawson, Bortoleto, Linblad and Colapinto.
Five cars had not set a time with seconds to go in the final Qualifying session, including both McLarens. Russell took the Sprint pole of course, with his team mate next to him. Norris got a surprisingly good result in third, how funny we should be saying that. Hamilton was next, splitting the McLarens. LeClerc was sixth; Gasly seventh beating former team mate Verstappen. Finishing up the top ten was Bearman and Hadjar.
I think behind the Mercedes it might be a good race although teams might hold back, saving the car for the main race.
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