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Toyota front row

Toyota have been threatening to deliver but without success so far this year, and to lock out the front row at Bahrain proves the car has the pace over one lap. In long runs there is some doubt, but we will see tomorrow if they can carry it through.

Jarno Trulli took the top spot with a time of 1:33.431, around three tenths quicker than his ever impressive team mate Timo Glock, and the TF109 looked supreme in the heat of the desert. Trulli is the out and out master of the qualifying lap, and this was simply perfect.

Another one lap specialist – Mark Webber – sits at the other end of the grid, and was the victim of a major misunderstanding with Adrian Sutil. The Force India driver assumed the Red Bull, looming large in his mirrors approaching the final corner, was on an out lap – as was he – and defended against the Australian’s attempts to overtake. It was one of those things that led to great disappointment in the Webber camp, but the young German, when interviewed, accepted blame and headed to Red Bull to apologise. Webber starts 19th, Sutil – assuming no penalty – in 16th place.

The remaining fallers at the first hurdle were Giancarlo Fisichella in the second Force India, and the two STR cars which simply were not quick enough.

The second session promised the loss of the two BMW-Saubers and duly delivered, Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld seemingly unable to wring any more out of a desperately recalcitrant car, while Nelson Piquet – who is becoming increasingly despondent – also failed to make the grade. Kazuki Nakajima did his very best in the non-updated Williams to set twelfth best time, and Heikki Kovalainen just missed the cut in the McLaren.

The final session went in impressive fashion to Toyota, and to be honest the two red and white cars had no opposition; Sebastian Vettel came closest in the Red Bull and will start third, while Brawn have Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello in fourth and sixth positions.

Fifth on the grid will be Lewis Hamilton, the world champion wringing the best out of a slightly improved McLaren, and the remainder of the top ten reads Fernando Alonso in the Renault, Felipe Massa in the Ferrari, Nico Rosberg for Williams and Kimi Raikkonen in the second Maranello entry.

We wait now for the fuel loads – are the Toyota’s running very light? Something tells me not.

Written: Sat, 25 Apr 2009 12:20:52