Verstappen Takes First Pole of the New F1 Season in Bahrain
Max Verstappen is starting the new Formula 1 season as he finished the last one, with the Dutchman taking pole position in qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix.
As reported on MARCA, he posted a time of 1:29.708 in his Red Bull, finishing 0.138 seconds ahead of his teammate Sergio Perez.
Charles Leclerc was in third position, with the Ferrari man deciding not to even try a second run in Q3 in order to save tyres for the race.
“There was not any issue,” Leclerc explained afterwards.
“We managed to find the pace, however we need to keep in mind that for the race run we seem to be a little bit on the back foot to Red Bull.
“I think we are better place starting in three with new tyres than starting further back with old.”
As for Verstappen, he claimed to be positively surprised with the pace he found as qualifying went on.
“It’s been a bit of a tough start to the weekend and today not finding my rhythm, but in qualifying we managed to put the best pieces together,” he said.
“I was actually positively surprised being on pole after the struggles I had in practice.
“Of course I’m very happy to be on pole. It’s amazing and I’m looking forward for tomorrow.
“That’s positive and our race car is better.”
Further back, the Mercedes duo of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton will start in sixth and seven, with Fernando Alonso managing to put his Aston Martin in fifth after their strong practice runs.
The full starting grid for the Bahrain Grand Prix
- Max Verstappen
- Sergio Perez
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Fernando Alonso
- George Russell
- Lewis Hamilton
- Lance Stroll
- Esteban Ocon
- Nico Hulkenberg
- Lando Norris
- Valtteri Bottas
- Guanyu Zhou
- Yuki Tsunoda
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Kevin Magnussen
- Oscar Piastri
- Nyck De Vries
- Pierre Gasly
