Oscar Piastri claimed pole position for the Bahrain Grand Prix as McLaren team-mate Lando Norris qualified only sixth.
McLaren’s rivals believed that this would be the weekend which would show the advantage of the papaya cars and they duly topped all practice sessions to suggest a two-way battle for pole.
Piastri shone brightest under the lights at the Sakhir circuit to clinch pole but as rival cars ramped up the times at the end of the session, Norris could not find the answer.
George Russell pulled out a sensational lap to put his Mercedes on the front row for Sunday’s race, with Charles Leclerc third for Ferrari.
Championship leader Norris was also outgunned by Russell’s team-mate Kimi Antonelli and Alpine’s Pierre Gasly.
Max Verstappen turned the tables on McLaren with a stunning lap to take pole in Japan last weekend but the four-time world champion could produce no such heroics here.
The Dutchman complained about issues with his brakes and qualified only seventh. Lewis Hamilton also struggled again and will start from ninth.
06:52 PM BST
Race start time tomorrow
It is at 4pm BST. We will be here with live updates from around 2.30pm. Could be an interesting one.
06:50 PM BST
Hamilton as downbeat as Norris, really
He is questioned about his radio message apologising to the team:
“It’s just about my performance; a poor performance. There’s no reasons, just not doing the job.”
He is asked whether it’s a ‘Saturday’ (qualifying), problem:
“It happens every Saturday, yes.”
06:48 PM BST
Hamilton’s message to Ferrari after the session
“I’m sorry guys. I’m sorry man. I’m really sorry.”
We have yet to hear from him in the media pen, so it will be interesting to see what he says. We still have to remember he is only a few races into his Ferrari career but it has been a mixed start so far.
06:43 PM BST
Verstappen on a tough session
“All weekend it’s been difficult, just struggling on brake feel and stopping power. Besides that just very difficult grip. I feel that maybe the tyre grip we’re getting out of the car is low... we’ve thrown the car around a lot and nothing really seems to give you a clear direction. That also shows we are struggling with other things.”
06:34 PM BST
Don’t forget...
Both Mercedes cars have been summoned to the stewards for failing to follow the race director’s instructions. They went to the end of the pit lane before a confirmed restart was given for Q2 after Ocon’s crash and the red flag. Could it be a sporting penalty?
06:32 PM BST
All hope is not lost for Norris
I am slightly worried by his tone in that interview though. Thoroughly dejected. There’s still a race tomorrow and he is ahead of the guy closest to him in the standings. And you can overtake at this track. Would be surprised if he isn’t on the podium tomorrow, but circumstances might play a part.
