Both Mercedes drivers have been hit with one-place grid penalties following qualifying in Bahrain. Russell and Antonelli were being investigated after being sent out into the fast lane in the pit lane before the resumption time had been announced following Ocon’s Q2 crash.
George Russell, having qualified 2nd, will now start from 3rd, and his teammate Kimi Antonelli will drop one place into 5th. As a result, Charles Leclerc in the Ferrari will move up to accompany Piastri on the front row and Pierre Gasly, who had a stunning qualifying performance, will begin the race tomorrow from the 4th place on the grid.
