01 March 2024 , 17:02
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Max Verstappen will start on pole position in Bahrain after topping Friday's qualifying session.
The Red Bull driver edged out Charles Leclerc and George Russell and will begin Saturday's race at the front of the grid. Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes had shown some strong pace in practice but the seven-time world champion will be disappointed with his ninth place finish.
Verstappen's pole means he ties two greats of the sport - Jim Clark and Alain Prost. His team-mate Sergio Perez could only produce the fifth quickest time with Carlos Sainz ending up in fourth. Fernando Alonso only posted one lap during the final qualifying, but it was good enough for sixth. His Aston Martin team-mate Lance Stroll will line up in 12th.
The two McLarens threatened to upset the order early in qualifying with Lando Norris especially showing his pace. However he will line up seventh ahead of Oscar Piastri.
It was a day to forget for the Alpine team, who knew they were set to struggle. Their two cars will line up at the back of the grid as they were ousted early in qualifying.
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Verstappen said on his pole: "It was a lot of fun. The track had a lot of grip but with the wind the last two days, it was tricky to get the whole lap together. It was the same in qualifying. To really get everything out of it in Q3 was a little more difficult but I'm very happy to be on pole. It was a little bit unexpected but luckily in qualifying the car came to us and I felt a bit happier with the whole car."
He also added: "The race is going to be close as well. We look good as well but we'll see tomorrow. I'm confident we can have a strong race."
Charles Leclerc was frustrated with his second spotLeclerc said: "I’m a bit disappointed, but yeah, we did a good qualifying. It’s been a tricky weekend until now. We were trying quite a few things in practice and then I found the sweet spot in qualifying.
"In Q2 I think I did a .1 which was more or less the lap time that Max did in Q3, so it was there in the car. I think we lost a little bit the rhythm with the used set of C3 in Q3, then you have to readapt to the new tyres and I lost a little bit there, but all in all it’s been a positive qualy."
Bahrain qualifying top 10
1) Max Verstappen, Red Bull
2) Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
3) George Russell, Mercedes
4) Carlos Sainz, Ferrari
5) Sergio Perez, Red Bull
6) Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin
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7) Lando Norris, McLaren
8) Oscar Piastri, McLaren
9) Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
10) Nico Hulkenberg, Haas