Formula One: Rosberg takes pole for Bahrain GP
Mercedes AMG Petronas German driver Nico Rosberg steers his car during the third practice session of the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix at Bahrain's Sakhir circuit in Manama on April 5, 2014. PHOTO: AFP
Nico Rosberg took pole position for the Bahrain Grand Prix on Saturday with teammate Lewis Hamilton ensuring a Mercedes lockout on the front row.
Rosberg clocked one min 33.185sec to edge Hamilton as Mercedes stayed on course for a third win in three races this season.
It was German driver Rosberg’s fifth career pole and first of this season after Hamilton had started first in Australia and Malaysia.
Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo was third fastest but he will be demoted 10 places on Sunday’s grid after being punished for a pit-lane offence in Malaysia last weekend.
That leaves a second row featuring Finland’s Valtteri Bottas in a Williams and Mexico’s Sergio Perez of Force India. Sebastian Vettel in the second Red Bull was eliminated in the second qualifying session and will start from 10th place.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 6th, 2014.