Bahrain Grand Prix: disappointing first qualifying for Alpine and Ocon
The French team just managed to get into Q3 with Fernando Alonso, but the overall performance was mixed due to Esteban Ocon's 16th-place finish, trapped by a yellow flag.
A bittersweet first Saturday for Alpine! The Renault F1 Team’s heiress just about gets by thanks to Fernando Alonso’s 9th place. Disappointment for the other French car with Esteban Ocon finishing 16th.
An unfortunate series of circumstances for Ocon
The French driver did not make it through the first stage of qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix. Finishing 16th, Ocon regretted afterwards an external event: the yellow flag raised during his final flying lap. Carlos Sainz’s slow Ferrari indeed forced him to slow down at the exit of the 8th corner.
Already 16th after his first run, the former Force India driver could not improve his time. His first attempt had also been ruined by a wheel lock.
In an interview with Canal +, Ocon was naturally disappointed:
« We caught Sainz’s yellow flag at the exit of turn 8. I couldn’t accelerate fully on the exit. We lost half a second, which would have easily placed us in Q2.
We had worked very well during the tests and the car had progressed well. There was quite a bit of performance to be had during these qualifiers, it’s a shame: it’s been a few sessions that I’ve been catching this little yellow flag. We will do everything tomorrow to climb back up in the points.
Ocon: « We lost half a second, which would have easily put us through to Q2. »
A good comeback for Alonso.
For the race, Alpine team’s hope mainly relies on their veteran. More than two years after his last Grand Prix, **Fernando Alonso** makes a strong comeback in qualifying, securing 9th place.
What to give him a smile? The double champion was satisfied in an interview with Sky Sports F1: “I am because I didn’t expect it. The weekend is tough. I lack confidence with the rear of the car. The performance of my brakes is also very different from the tests.”
« Obviously, this is the first session of the season so you never know what to expect. I am happy with ninth place. »
Alonso:« The weekend is tough. I lack confidence with the rear of the car. »
7th in Q1, 9th in Q2, the two-time world champion completed only one run in Q3. A lap within the same tenth as his compatriot Sainz (8th) and only to beat one car: Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin. The Alpine vs Aston Martin match is at least turning in favor of the French after the first qualifying session of 2021.
