Hamilton confident Mercedes can fight at the front of the grid
Lewis Hamilton believes Mercedes have delivered a car capable of putting him in the fight at the front – despite qualifying only ninth for the opening round of the season in Bahrain.
Ma xv ers tap pens aw off ferrari’ s Charles Leclerc by two tenths to capture pole position, with Hamilton’s teammate George Russell next up, a third of a second back.
Hamilton raised hope that he might take the challenge to Verstappen when he finished fastest in practice here on Thursday.
However, the 39-year-old, entering his final campaign for the Silver Arrows before he joins Ferrari, finished halfa-second adrift.
But an optimistic Hamilton said: “It is amazing to see how close everyone is, and george’ s position is testament to how amazing a job all those working at the factory have done to give us a car to fight.
“The car is really fantastic, and a big improvement from previous years.
“It is stable and more fun to drive. For George to be three tenths off M axis incredible and it shows what is possible.
“We just have to add performance, but if that is our platform, we can definitely chase for the rest of the season.
“For the first qualifying session to be as poor as that when you put in so much preparation is disappointing, but that is racing.”
Russell was also upbeat about the car’s performance. He said :“M axis still out there in front and we have a lot of catching up to do, but starting third here in Bahrain is a great place for us.
“We have made a big step forward in single-lap pace, but hopefully we have not compromised our race pace. But M axis out ahead and the race for all of us is for second.”
Verstappen is expected to romp to his fourth consecutive world championship in his all-conquering Red Bull machine.
But the Dutch driver was made to work for the 33 rd pole of his career under thethousands of bulbs that light up the Sakhir Circuit.
Verstappen headed into his final run with less than a tenth in his pocket over Leclerc before extending his margin to the Ferrari driver.
Despite taking top spot, Verstappen apologised for what he perceived to be a scruffy lap.
“Don’t be sorry, Max,” said a weary-sounding Christian Horner–who se formula one future is again in the spotlight after hundreds of Whatsapp messages appearing to be written by him to a female colleague were leaked. “You finished two tenths clear of Charles and three tenths ahead of George.”
Verstappen added: “It was a lot of fun. I am very happy to be on pole, and it was a little bit unexpected. The car came to us and I felt happier than I did in practice.
“The race is going to be close, too, but we will see tomorrow. I am confident we can have a strong race.”
While Verstappen qualified first, Sergio Perez was fifth in the other Red Bull, one place ahead of Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso.
British driver Lando Norris will line up in seventh for Mc la ren,wi th williams’ alex Albon 13th.
Esteban Ocon and Pierre Ga sly will prop up the grid miserable qualifying session for the Alpine team.