Bahrain GP - Bridgestone - QualifyingRobert Kubica recorded his first Formula One pole position by using Bridgestone’s soft compound Potenza to go fastest at the Bahrain International Circuit for the third round of the championship, the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Kubica’s
time of 1:33.096s enabled the BMW Sauber team to secure their first pole position by almost three hundredths of a second from second fastest, Felipe Massa (Ferrari). Lewis Hamilton (McLaren Mercedes) and
Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari) qualified on the second row, with Hamilton the faster. Heikki Kovalainen (McLaren Mercedes) and
Nick Heidfeld (BMW Sauber) qualified on the third row, with Kovalainen ahead in fifth spot.
The morning practice session saw Nico Rosberg (Williams) top with a 1:32.521s, set on the soft compound. Times were very close in this session, with the top 13 cars within a second of Rosberg’s lap.
Higher winds than Friday provided a challenge to teams trying to find an aerodynamic balance today. Dry, hot weather graced the track meaning only Bridgestone’s dry weather grooved tyres were used.
Tetsuro Kobayashi, Technical Manager
“Congratulations to Robert Kubica and BMW Sauber for their first pole position. This was the third driver in as many races to achieve pole which shows how close it is this season, with all drivers on Bridgestone Potenza tyres."
"Both compounds performed well today. The soft compound was clearly the faster and both compounds gave consistent lap times. The data we have analysed so far suggests that many different tyre strategies will be possible for tomorrow’s race which should add to the excitement. Running was difficult for some drivers due to a change in wind direction and increased wind speeds from yesterday. With no traction control this will present a challenge for drivers if we see high wind speeds tomorrow.”
Source: Bridgestone
