SAKHIR, Bahrain, CMC – McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton will start fourth on the grid for today’s Formula One Grand Prix here, after Red Bull’s Sebastien Vettel produced a pacy run in final qualifying yesterday to snatch pole in season-opening event.
Hamilton, whose paternal grandparents are from Grenada, clocked one minute, 55.21 seconds in final qualifying to take his place on the second row alongside Spanish rival Fernando Alonso of Ferrari who qualified third.
Vettel, who was second in the drivers’ championship last year, grabbed pole with a time of 1:54.10 minutes with Ferrari’s Felipe Massa qualifying second to join the German on the front row.
Hamilton, who was disappointing last season in an underperforming car, said he was surprised with how things turned out in qualifying.
“I’m surprised by this afternoon’s result. While we didn’t have the pace of the faster cars, I definitely wasn’t expecting to be fourth quickest,” said the 25-year-old, who became F1’s youngest ever champion in 2008.
“But it’s a good starting point and tomorrow I hope to keep the position or gain at least one more.”
Reigning F1 champion Jenson Button, who won here last season, will start eighth in his McLaren while former champion driver Michael Schumacher, making a return to the sport after a three-year break, is one place above in his Mercedes.
Hamilton, who will be looking to improve on his fifth place last season, said he did not expect a victory today, however, as the car was still not in peak condition.
“I don’t think a win is going to be on the cards but we’ll be giving it the best we can. We’ve struggled in the middle sector – we’re lacking a bit of downforce – but I know the guys back in the factory will be pushing as hard as they can,” he explained.
