Ferrari dominate again as Sebastian Vettel takes pole position for Chinese GP
Formula 1 | April 14, 2018 16:26 ISTBoth Ferrari cars were 0.5 seconds faster in qualifying than either Mercedes, a huge gap in F1.
Both Ferrari cars were 0.5 seconds faster in qualifying than either Mercedes, a huge gap in F1.
Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen was the second quickest in both sessions, and in the afternoon he was only 0.007 behind Hamilton.
Raikkonen and Vettel were up front as cooler temperatures and nightfall matched the conditions for Sunday evening's race. Raikkonen's time of 1 minute, 29.8 seconds on the 5.4-kilometer (3.3-mile) desert circuit was a fraction quicker than Vettel's.
World champion Lewis Hamilton must overcome the frustration of being denied victory at the season-opening Australian GP by his own team's careless computer error.
The Spaniard's finish also equalled the best result McLaren managed to notch in the last three years with former engine supplier Honda.
The German becomes the fourth driver to claim 100 podium finishes, joining Hamilton, Michael Schumacher and Alain Prost.
The four drivers behind Hamilton were separated by just over 0.3 second, setting up the promise of an extremely competitive race on Sunday between Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull.
On a bright, clear day, defending world champion Lewis Hamilton completed the 5.303-km Albert Park circuit in 1 minute, 24.026 seconds.
Hamilton and Vettel have something else to vie for this year — a chance to pull even with former Argentine driver Juan Manuel Fangio for second place on the all-time championship list.
Here is a detailed list of the Formula One teams and drivers for the 2018 season of Formula One which begins with Australian GP on March 25, Sunday.
After winning three races last year — the first ones since he started in 2013 — Bottas is keen to challenge Hamilton all the way.
The Australian GP next weel will be Vettel's 200th race whereas meanwhile, Hamilton seeks a record-extending 73rd pole and a 63rd GP win.
It was a busy day at the Circuit de Catalunya-Barcelona after snowfall and cold temperatures kept most cars in the garage on Wednesday.
The Finn's lap of 1 minute, 20.270 seconds was followed by Stoffel Vandoorne in his McLaren and Sebastian Vettel, who was getting his first drive behind the new Ferrari.
Speaking at the launch of Mercedes' new W09 car at Silverstone, Hamilton said that he had already made it clear to his current Formula One team that he is not considering any other options outside Mercedes.
Bottas said 'grid girls' have been a part of the motorsport for quite a long time now, and the idea of introducing children in the F1 would be a great idea for the sport.
Brown insisted that McLaren and almost all other teams would be very interested to rope in Hamilton.
Hamilton who holds the record for highest pole positions (72) said he was assured from the beginning of doing well in the 2017 season.
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton recently became a four-time world champion with a ninth-place finish at the Mexican Grand Prix, the race which was won by the Red Bull's Verstappen.
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