USA’s new F1 star Logan Sargeant is heartbreakingly knocked out of his debut qualifying session as he posts EXACTLY the same time as rival Lando Norris – but Brit continues after recording his lap earlier
America’s new Formula 1 star Logan Sargeant was knocked out of his first qualifying session on Saturday in Bahrain in heartbreaking circumstances.
The 22-year-old Florida native lined up for his first-ever race weekend and came agonizingly close to exiting Q1 – he recorded EXACTLY the same time as his rival Lando Norris, but came up short as the Briton’s time was recorded first .
As the top 15 drivers progressed to the second part of the session, Sargeant entered his final fast lap at the bottom of the standings, but managed to work his way up in contention.
Norris was the driver to beat, sitting 15th with a time of 1:31.652, and Sargeant crossing the line in 1:31.652 – exactly the same time.
Frustratingly for Sargeant, Norris made his way into the second session – solely due to the fact that he clocked his lap ahead of the American.
Logan Sargeant almost put his Williams in the second part of qualifying in Bahrain
The 22-year-old missed out despite posting the same time as McLaren star Lando Norris
British star Norris reached Q2 in 15th and then improved to move up to 11th
The result means Sargeant will finish 16th for his maiden race on Sunday, with his Williams teammate Alex Albon one place ahead in 15th.
At the front, Max Verstappen – the reigning champion – is on pole position, while his Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez sits next to him in second.
On the second row, Charles Leclerc is third in his Ferrari, with his teammate Carlos Sainz fourth.
The impressive Fernando Alonso is fifth, followed by Mercedes’ George Russell and Lewis Hamilton in sixth and seventh.
It was a disappointing afternoon for AlphaTauri, whose two drivers form the back of the grid, while McLaren will be disappointed to see Australian rookie Oscar Piastri only 18th.
Reigning champion Max Verstappen is on pole position for Sunday’s Bahrain Grand Prix
Next to Verstappen (center) is his teammate Sergio Perez (right), with Charles Leclerc third
