ROAD TO F1: Ilott takes pole with title rival Schumacher only 10th for Bahrain F2 Feature Race

Ferrari junior Callum Ilott is not giving up the Formula 2 Championship battle without a fight, slashing Mick Schumacher’s lead at the top of the table to just 18 points, with his fifth pole position of the season in Bahrain qualifying.

The UNI-Virtuosi driver was flawless as he dominated the session from start to finish, setting his quickest laptime in the first half of the session to take provisional pole by 0.391s, ahead of Felipe Drugovich and Dan Ticktum.

Championship leader Mick Schumacher could only manage P10, with the PREMA racer eight tenths off the pace in Sakhir.

Schumacher wasn’t the only title challenger who endured a difficult afternoon as Yuki Tsunoda failed to set a laptime. The Red Bull junior spun at Turn 12 and was unable to get his car going again, forcing him into retirement.

Ilott will be eying up a fourth win of the season in the Feature Race on Saturday at 1210 (local time), while Schumacher will be requiring another one of his trademark strong starts if he is to prevent his FDA rival from further closing the gap in the Championship fight.

READ MORE: ‘My dream is to be world champion’ – Yuki Tsunoda on his F1 ambitions and impressing Helmut Marko

For more on F2, visit the official series website.