Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, Bahrain International Circuit, 2015

2015 Bahrain Grand Prix grid

2015 Bahrain Grand Prix

18th April 2015, 17:0018th April 2015, 17:24 | Written by Keith Collantine

Row 1	1. Lewis Hamilton 1’32.571 Mercedes
		2. Sebastian Vettel 1’32.982 Ferrari
Row 2	3. Nico Rosberg 1’33.129 Mercedes
		4. Kimi Raikkonen 1’33.227 Ferrari
Row 3	5. Valtteri Bottas 1’33.381 Williams
		6. Felipe Massa 1’33.744 Williams
Row 4	7. Daniel Ricciardo 1’33.832 Red Bull
		8. Nico Hulkenberg 1’34.450 Force India
Row 5	9. Carlos Sainz Jnr 1’34.462 Toro Rosso
		10. Romain Grosjean 1’34.484 Lotus
Row 6	11. Sergio Perez 1’34.704 Force India
		12. Felipe Nasr 1’34.737 Sauber
Row 7	13. Marcus Ericsson 1’35.034 Sauber
		14. Fernando Alonso 1’35.039 McLaren
Row 8	15. Max Verstappen 1’35.103 Toro Rosso
		16. Pastor Maldonado 1’35.677 Lotus
Row 9	17. Daniil Kvyat 1’35.800 Red Bull
		18. Will Stevens 1’38.713 Manor
Row 10	19. Roberto Merhi 1’39.722 Manor
		20. Jenson Button No time McLaren

2015 Bahrain Grand Prix

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67 comments on “2015 Bahrain Grand Prix grid”

Mashiat2 (@mashiat2)
18th April 2015, 17:03

Great lap by Hamilton and both Ferraris. McHonda is also improving in 14th place. And Rosberg? The less said, the better. He is just gradually falling behind.
Rosberg will be replaced for 2016. You heard it here first.
1. Trenthamfolk (@)
  18th April 2015, 17:04
  
  Hamilton was clearly driving ‘too slowly’…
  1. Mashiat (@mashiat)
    18th April 2015, 17:15
    
    @trenthamfolk Rosberg should just take out Hamilton at the first corner and pretend that it was a ‘mistake’ and gift the title to Ferrari.
2. Matt (@superf1fan)
  18th April 2015, 18:35
  
  I don’t know why Mercedes would replace a driver who is doing a very good job as a #2 driver?
  1. Mashiat2 (@mashiat2)
    18th April 2015, 19:04
    
    @superf1fan Because if Ferrari improves at the rate that they are right now, a Constructor’s Championship is not a given for Mercedes anymore and they might not be able to get away like Red Bull did. Alonso? Or Bottas maybe? What about Verstappen?
    1. Saints (@saints)
      18th April 2015, 19:20
      
      Both Mercedes drivers have been on the podium in all 3 races so far and they will likely continue to be on top in most weekends… so the constructors championship should be easily won. Ferrari improves at a fast rate, yes, but Mercedes will also improve.
      
      Anyway, I personally see no reason for the team to replace Rosberg, as he’s a terrific number two driver. Of course they could replace him with a better or younger driver, but as long as they win most races and score enormous amounts of points, why change anything?
      1. Iestyn Davies (@fastiesty)
        18th April 2015, 19:29
        
        If cash was an issue for Mercedes they would have Bottas as a cheaper no.2, with Wehrlein in at Williams. It isn’t, so they will retain Hamilton-Rosberg for a while yet most likely. @saints @mashiat2 @superf1fan
HK (@me4me)
18th April 2015, 17:04

Rosberg simply has no answer, Hamilton superior, and Ferrari on the rise!
1. puneeth Bharath (@puneethvb)
  18th April 2015, 17:08
  
  Rosberg “its a fact that Lewis driving too fast has compromised my race”.
  1. Understeer (@abdelilah)
    18th April 2015, 17:17
    
    +1
  2. Slowhands (@slowhands)
    18th April 2015, 17:40
    
    @puneethvb Very funny!! Make that races, plural. Many, many races.
  3. matiascasali (@matiascasali)
    18th April 2015, 18:51
    
    +1000
  4. Iestyn Davies (@fastiesty)
    18th April 2015, 19:30
    
    @puneethvb How about “Lewis was driving too slowly….. in practice. I couldn’t copy his data!” ;)
  5. Wesley (@)
    18th April 2015, 21:36
    
    I can hear Nico now. “How I can I possibly win a race if Lewis is in front of me.”
2. Loup Garou (@loup-garou)
  18th April 2015, 18:14
  
  I’m afraid he might have an answer, albeit not the kind we are thinking of. In P3 Rosberg is now directly behind Hamilton on the grid and his front wing might have an appointment with one of Hamilton’s rear tyres, especially if Roberg brakes deliberately late into the first corner.
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
18th April 2015, 17:05

I said it yesterday and I say it again. Lewis and this year’s Merc are a perfect combo. Lewis just throws the car to the apex and rear sticks, just perfectly suited to his style and so is the track.
Adam Marsh
18th April 2015, 17:05

I want to know who wronged Rosberg; someone must be to blame!?
1. Robert (@gicu)
  18th April 2015, 17:18
  
  Hamilton stole Rosberg’s minty balaclava and used it to make himself minty undergarments, after Bruno Senna’s suggestion.
2. Oletros (@oletros)
  18th April 2015, 17:26
  
  At least, he blames himself:
  
  ROSBERG: “Strategy-wise, I got it wrong. I was thinking too much about the race and underestimated Sebastian’s pace”
  1. James Devon (@tata)
    18th April 2015, 18:01
    
    I guess we can all agree the driver has only one task – drive the car. Leave the thinking to the Engineers and race strategists. That is what they are paid for.
    
    During qualy, the likes of Vettel and Hamilton do one thing and that is drive the car as fast as they can without as many errors as possible. No time for thinking. Just drive.
    
    When you are racing on Sunday, you can think all you like.
    
    Nico, don’t get decieved with all the people hyping you as the brainy, methodical “thinking” guy. They don’t have your best interest at heart. Just look at the Jenson Button hype and where it got Mclaren since Hamilton left. If you don’t want to be replaced at MercedesAmgF1, just drive the car and forget the false hype.
    1. Iestyn Davies (@fastiesty)
      18th April 2015, 19:32
      
      @tata He probably set the car up for being a bit better on the long run, so that he can overcut? in the race, or attack at the end of stints.
    2. Stephen Crowsen (@drycrust)
      18th April 2015, 19:46
      
      +1
    3. ColdFly F1 (@)
      19th April 2015, 1:23
      
      @tata – you are quite wrong there.
      Every driver decides – together with his engineers – how to set up the car to find an optimal balance between one lap quali pace and long run race pace.
      It is not as simple as just driving fast!
3. Fun (@functor)
  19th April 2015, 10:58
  
  It’s him getting married – Mrs. Rosberg you’ve slowed down his whole world.
  As for Lewis, he has nowhere to focus and responsible except for racing :P
Wil-Liam (@wil-liam)
18th April 2015, 17:08

Six tenths faster on by rosberg words his stronger track
Wil-Liam (@wil-liam)
18th April 2015, 17:09

I set 1:32.572 but changed it last minute :-(
1. Patrick (@paeschli)
  18th April 2015, 18:11
  
  I guessed a 1:33.1 ^^
  
  If only Lewis was as slow as Rosberg!
2. Mach1 (@mach1)
  18th April 2015, 18:22
  
  I did 1.32.598 ! I have had it to 2 thousands before though…
3. Iestyn Davies (@fastiesty)
  18th April 2015, 19:33
  
  @wil-liam If it’s Ham-Ros-Vet-Rai-Bot tomorrow I could be in the pound seat with 1:32.500 :).
  1. OnTheOtherHand (@robcacox)
    19th April 2015, 11:44
    
    My Guess
    • Pole Time – 01:32.567
    • Pole – Lewis Hamilton
    • Position 1 – Lewis Hamilton
    • Position 2 – Nico Rosberg
    • Position 3 – Sebastian Vettel
    • Position 4 – Kimi Raikkonen
    • Position 5 – Romain Grosjean
AntoineDeParis (@antoine-de-paris)
18th April 2015, 17:10

That moment between these two magicians just before weighing… pure poetry. Monster rivals.
1. Ed Marques (@edmarques)
  18th April 2015, 18:05
  
  +1
2. Patrick (@paeschli)
  18th April 2015, 18:12
  
  Oh, I missed that :(
  
  Stupid Belgian television!
3. David-A (@david-a)
  18th April 2015, 20:10
  
  @antoine-de-paris @edmarques
  I must’ve missed what you’re referring to. Are you talking about Hamilton and Vettel post-qualifying?
Understeer (@abdelilah)
18th April 2015, 17:10

Excellent lap by LH, excellent qualy session, kept the suspense till the chequered flag, what a session.
Ivan B (@njoydesign)
18th April 2015, 17:11

Very happy Vettel split the mercs. Since surprising pace from Williams innit?
1. Ivan B (@njoydesign)
  18th April 2015, 17:11
  
  *Some
  
  bloody swype…
  1. ColdFly F1 (@)
    19th April 2015, 1:30
    
    @njoydesign – Swype – maybe you got it wrong and were thinking too much about speed, and now missing out due to errors!
Mashiat (@mashiat)
18th April 2015, 17:12

Also interesting to note how this year’s cars are only 0.5 secs faster? Were the conditions different? Or is it the tyres?
1. Paulo Ruiz (@omegadetra)
  18th April 2015, 17:15
  
  Bahrain wasn’t really affected the regulation changes last year, though, so it doesn’t feel as surprising to me that the gap between this year and last year is smaller.
2. DaveD (@daved)
  18th April 2015, 17:26
  
  I was also wondering about that. I think it may also have something to do with the fact they did pre-season testing here last year so the teams already had the track more dialed in, at least compared to the other tracks???
Traverse
18th April 2015, 17:13

Mark Webber just has no answer for Hamilton’s pace.
1. PorscheF1 (@xtwl)
  18th April 2015, 17:44
  
  I don’t get this one?
  1. Mayank (@mjf1fan)
    18th April 2015, 17:47
    
    He is implying Nico Rosberg as new Mark Webber
    1. Mayank (@mjf1fan)
      18th April 2015, 17:48
      
      Just like Webber didnt have any answer To Vettel after 2010. Nico has no answer for Hamilton. @xtwl
    2. PorscheF1 (@xtwl)
      18th April 2015, 17:54
      
      @mjf1fan Rosberg could only wish he was as likeable as Webber. ;)
      1. Mayank (@mjf1fan)
        18th April 2015, 17:59
        
        Haha. He was quite likeable until Spa 2014 happened.
  2. Mashiat (@mashiat)
    18th April 2015, 17:48
    
    @xtwl Rosberg = Not bad for a Number 2 driver.
Uzair Syed (@ultimateuzair)
18th April 2015, 17:15

Sometimes I wonder how Rosberg is so slow. Bahrain is one of Rosberg’s strongest tracks too.
Gigantor (@kbdavies)
18th April 2015, 17:17

Rosberg has finally gotten his wish. Awesome pic!! The Mercedes and Hammy combo are on fire!
TJ2324
18th April 2015, 17:19

Rosberg has just explained why he was so slow compared to his teammate. He said he was thinking of race strategy by going gentle on his tyres in Q2, which he admitted was a mistake because he didn’t envision Vettel being as fast as he was. So in Q3 he was all out of rhythm. Interestingly, Hamilton’s Q2 time was a 1.32.6 which was his first full out attack run. Rosberg’s first and only full out attack run was a 1.33.1 so Hamilton had him beat hand’s down.
dex022 (@dex022)
18th April 2015, 17:21

I wonder what Alonso would do in that Ferrari…his departure from that team could be potentially biggest blunder move ever in F1. If Honda put their stuff together and produce good car for 2016 and 2017 it will not be important but if Vettel wins title with Ferrari in any of these years….
1. Sohaib Ahmad (@sohebbasharat)
  18th April 2015, 17:27
  
  agreed, i believe Alonso would have been faster than Vettel by at least 2/3 tenths (the same margin Vettel has over Kimi)
  1. Oletros (@oletros)
    18th April 2015, 17:46
    
    2/3 tenths? No, 2/3 seconds /s
    1. AldoH
      18th April 2015, 19:42
      
      Wow, i thought that he carries half a second in his right armpit. Now is only three tenths? I’m disappointed.
      When will folks stop with this baseless speculation?
      Alonso had nothing for Ferrari and has nothing to help develop the McLaren either.
      1. Palle (@palle)
        18th April 2015, 20:50
        
        So far he seems to be half a second slower than Button, and he gets 100 times the salery:-). If he could do better than Vettel in the Ferrari is pure speculation put forward by those who keep trying to belittle Vettel, despite 4 titles.
2. David-A (@david-a)
  18th April 2015, 17:29
  
  @dex022
  
  I wonder what Alonso would do in that Ferrari
  
  Oh, just stop. We already seen him in that Ferrari for 5 years. It’s more like what could Alonso do in the second Mercedes.
  1. David-A (@david-a)
    18th April 2015, 17:38
    
    This applies to @sohebbasharat as well.
3. Ed Marques (@edmarques)
  18th April 2015, 18:07
  
  On qualifying? Would be behind Rosberg.
4. jon snow
  18th April 2015, 20:22
  
  with Alonso, Ferrari would never got this year enthusiasm and spirit
  Ferrari doesn’t miss him anyway
  1. ygritte
    18th April 2015, 21:18
    
    You know Everything, jon snow :)
    
    I agree with you. There is a breathe of fresh air in Maranello and everyone seems so happy. Its good to see Arrivabene so animated at various times during gp and ofcourse, the love Vettel has for Ferrari…it is definitely building a great atmosphere in the garage.
Manox (@marussi)
18th April 2015, 17:27

Manor is closing in more and more by each race. from just over the 107% in melbourne but got to race to be well under the 107% :)
1. ColdFly F1 (@)
  19th April 2015, 1:39
  
  They were more than just over the 107% in Melbourne. More like ∞%
  1. ColdFly F1 (@)
    19th April 2015, 1:39
    
    @marussi
CountryGent (@countrygent)
18th April 2015, 17:31

Being sat next to a great driver has side-effects.

Barrichello, Fisichella, Kovalainen, Webber, Massa and now Rosberg?
1. Mayank (@mjf1fan)
  18th April 2015, 17:39
  
  When are you going to sit with Alonso then :P
Jon
19th April 2015, 1:26

Thank you for having the list. I spent about 10 minutes just trying to find a list of qualifying and not long winded articles. Will have to come back here often!

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2015 Bahrain Grand Prix

Author information

Keith Collantine

67 comments on “2015 Bahrain Grand Prix grid”