Audi Score First Pole, Norris Wins Back-to-Back Grands Prix

Qualifying:

Pos	#	Driver	Constructor	Q1	Q2	Diff.
1	56	Einar Ármannsson		1:35.502	1:34.576
2	39	Sho Tsuboi		1:34.866	1:34.637	+0.061
3	20	Kevin Magnussen		1:34.878	1:35.063	+0.302
4	37	Victoria Desai		1:36.518	1:36.344	+1.768
5	47	Lando Norris		1:36.517	1:36.379	+1.803
6	7	Charles Leclerc		1:36.915	1:36.507	+1.931
7	1	Sebastian Vettel		1;36.716	1:36.670	+2.094
8	9	Jehan Daruvala		1:36.296	1:34.870	+0.294*
9	10	Alessio Lorandi		1:36.841	1:37.025	+2.265
10	94	Pascal Wehrlein		1:37.925	1:36.969	+2.393
11	99	Sacha Fenestraz		1:37.143	1:37.399	+2.567
12	23	Jules Bianchi		1:37.530	1:37.343	+2.767
13	80	Raven Roth		1:37.639	1:37.386	+2.810
14	63	George Russell		1:37.511	1:35.751	+2.935
15	98	Colton Herta		1:37.876	1:37.638	+3.092
16	43	Franco Colapinto		1:38.294	1:37.921	+3.345
17	46	Alessandro Cicognani		1:38.432	1:38.268	+3.692
18	55	Carlos Sainz, Jr.		1:38.681	1:38.617	+4.041
19	81	Oscar Piastri		1:38.756	1:18.863	+4.180
20	31	Esteban Ocon		1:39.237	1:39.094	+4.518
21	2	Stoffel Vandoorne		1:39.261	1:39.103	+4.527
22	33	Max Verstappen		1:39.931	1:39.342	+4.766
23	34	Felipe Drugovich		1:39.642	1:39.351	+4.775
24	29	Roger Ibe		1:39.932	1:40.158	+5.536
25	4	Robin Frijns		1:41.807	1:41.482	+6.906
26	95	Beitske Visser		1:41.756	1:41.741	+7.165

* 5-place grid penalty for causing an avoidable accident

Report:

With ideal racing conditions, the 20th anniversary of the addition of Bahrain to the Formula One calendar meant that fans could expect a thrilling race. Formula One’s drivers responded and delivered another banger in Bahrain.

After Einar Ármannsson scored the first pole position in the young history of Audi’s F1 team, a thrilling battle for the lead ensued once all drivers came in to take off their qualifying tyres, Sho Tsuboi failing to keep Lando Norris behind in the end.

As Lando Norris drove away in the lead, Victoria Desai and Sho Tsuboi battled all race for P2, the Indian eventually taking the flag. Ármannsson’s pole resulted in fourth place, a 4-5 for Audi continuing their strong start.

There was controversy in the lower-point sections. Alessio Lorandi finished sixth on track, but was demoted to eighth after a time penalty for a first-lap incident with Sebastian Vettel. The German was vocal about considering the penalty insufficient.

Race:

Pos	#	Driver	Constructor	Time/Retired	Grid	Points
1	47	Lando Norris		59:51.920	5	10
2	37	Victoria Desai		+16.963	4	8
3	39	Sho Tsuboi		+18.006	2	6
4	56	Einar Ármannsson		+30.080	1	6
5	20	Kevin Magnussen		+39.258	3	4
6	80	Raven Roth		+43.462	13	3
7	63	George Russell		+47.617	14	2
8	10	Alessio Lorandi		+41.428*	9	1
9	1	Sebastian Vettel		+55.054	7
10	46	Alessandro Cicognani		+87.877	17
11	55	Carlos Sainz, Jr.		+95.228	18
12	94	Pascal Wehrlein		1 Lap	10
13	21	Oscar Piastri		1 Lap	19
14	23	Jules Bianchi		1 Lap	12
15	29	Roger Ibe		1 Lap	24
16	9	Jehan Daruvala		1 Lap	8
17	33	Max Verstappen		1 Lap	22
18	99	Sacha Fenestraz		1 Lap	11
19	95	Beitske Visser		1 Lap	25
20	4	Robin Frijns		1 Lap	26
21	31	Esteban Ocon		2 Laps	20
22	2	Stoffel Vandoorne		2 Laps	21
DNF	7	Charles Leclerc		Motor	6
DNF	98	Colton Herta		Puncture	15
DNF	43	Franco Colapinto		Motor	16
DNF	34	Felipe Drugovich		Motor	23

* 10-second time penalty

Fastest Lap:

Lando Norris – 1:40.434

Infinite Improbability Drive Of The Race:

Pascal Wehrlein – was completely superior to his elite teammate and threatened the points in the early race.

Reject Of The Race:

Beitske Visser – after causing trouble in New Zealand, she now held up Victoria Desai in her battle for the lead.