LEWIS HAMILTON will start his quest for a record-breaking eighth title from second on the grid at Bahrain.
The British legend, 36, was pipped to pole by Max Verstappen with the Dutch whiz’s final lap in a thrilling Q3.
In a disastrous debut race, Mick Schumacher ended up 19th – ahead of only Haas team-mate Nikita Mazepin.
The German was nearly two seconds off the pace of Q1 leader Max Verstappen.
Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel finished 18th in Q1 in his first race for Aston Martin.
His team-mate Lance Stroll made it to Q2 in 12th, with Vettel later claiming he was held up by a yellow flag.
Esteban Ocon (Alpine) and Nicholas Latifi (Williams) were the other two drivers to crash out in the first round of qualifying.
Yuki Tsunoda, after setting a blistering Q1 time, fell in Q2 in his AlphaTauri.
Tsunoda – who ended up 12th – was joined by George Russell, Kimi Raikkonen, Antonio Giovinazzi and Sergio Perez in failing to make the final round of qualifying.
MORE TO FOLLOW…
BETTING SPECIAL: LEWIS HAMILTON TO FINISH TOP 3 – 20/1
