Qualifying result and grid penalty
Franco Colapinto completed qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix in 15th position at the Sepang circuit in Malaysia, where the race was relocated after being suspended in April because of the conflict in the Middle East. The Argentine driver will nevertheless start Sunday's race from the final row, since he must serve two separate penalties: one for the collision in the previous round in Baku and another for using a fifth internal combustion engine during the season. Arvid Lindblad, who is also under sanction, will line up alongside him at the back.[S1]
In the opening qualifying session, Colapinto set the 15th-fastest time. Those eliminated at that stage were Nico Hülkenberg of Audi in 17th, Oliver Bearman of Haas in 18th, Esteban Ocon of Haas in 19th, Alex Albon of Williams in 20th, Valtteri Bottas of Cadillac in 21st and Sergio Pérez of Cadillac in 22nd. For the second session, the Argentine chose not to take any risks and did not leave the pit lane at all.[S1]
Practice pace and penalty details
Before Saturday's qualifying, the driver from Pilar took part in the third free practice session, where he performed strongly and ended up ninth. His earlier runs had been far less encouraging: he was 19th in the first free practice and 22nd in the second.[S1]
The grid drop amounts to 15 places for Sunday's race and comes from two sanctions received in recent days. The first is a five-place penalty for the collision he caused at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, which triggered a triple retirement involving his teammate, the Frenchman Pierre Gasly, and the British driver Lando Norris. The second is a 10-place penalty for changing the internal combustion engine and exceeding the limit of four permitted per year. As a result, the Argentine will fall to the last position on the starting grid even if he were to qualify as high as seventh.[S1]
Colapinto's approach to the race
Colapinto explained that the team is focused on the race while acknowledging that much work remains to be done. He noted that his pace in the second free practice session was quite good and said he would try to make up ground on Sunday. He added that Saturday is somewhat lost because of the penalties and that the plan is to concentrate on Sunday and gain positions during the race, stressing that he did not prepare anything for qualifying because he will be starting last.[S1]
The Malaysian track, known for its long straights and braking zones, could nevertheless offer Colapinto a good opportunity to demonstrate his driving ability, since plenty of overtaking and position changes are expected during the 56-lap race scheduled for 4 a.m. Argentine time.[S1]
