Tsunoda makes costly mistake; Schumacher sees Ilott approaching

Although Formula 1 is of course the main course on the Bahrain circuit, this weekend there will be extra attention for Formula 2. A championship is at stake there and Yuki Tsunoda is fighting for the chance to win an F1 seat at AlphaTauri.

In order to do this, the Japanese must be at least fifth in the championship, because then they will have enough points for a super-licence. He is currently third, but three competitors are following him on a few points.

Tsunoda did not start that battle well this weekend, as he dropped out during qualifying after a spin in turn 12. He tried to drive even further, but let the car stall and therefore has to start the race at the back on Saturday.

Championship leader Mick Schumacher also had a mediocre afternoon in Bahrain. He only qualified twelfth, while his biggest competitor Callum Ilott took pole position. Because this is also worth points in F2, the gap between the two favourites is only eighteen points.