Verstappen has taken the first pole position of the season as well as his 21st pole position in his career. Being the favourite to win this year, pole position puts Verstappen in good light to start his season. 

He experienced some difficulties during testing but still managed to end up on top, ahead of the first race of the season and he had the following to say: “I’m very happy to be on pole. It hasn’t been the easiest weekend so far as we’ve been struggling to find the right balance and I’ve been trying to find my rhythm. Overall, it was quite a good qualifying, we recovered well with the performance. It’s great for the whole team to have a one-two start tomorrow, and to have Checo up there as well is really promising. A lot of things can happen during a race as we all know, but I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do out there on track as a team.”

In the second row, and qualifying in 3rd and 4th respectively, is Charles Leclerc and Carlo Sainz for Ferrari. Sainz had topped Q1 and Leclerc was quickest in Q2. Unfortunately for Ferrari, Q3 took a different turn. Leclerc was not sent out for a second push lap in Q3, saving a fresh set of softs for the race itself. Despite difficulties the team still managed to secure the second row. 

Lance Stroll, who has returned from injury, starts in the 4th row in 6th alongside Hamilton.

The first race of the season promises an exciting start as proved by the practice and qualifying rounds.

The Bahrain Grand Prix starts at 17:00 this evening at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir on Sunday 5 March.

STARTING GRID 

Front row

Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull)

Sergio Perez (MEX/Red Bull)

2nd row

Charles Leclerc (MON/Ferrari)

Carlos Sainz (ESP/Ferrari)

3rd row

Fernando Alonso (ESP/Aston Martin)

George Russell (GBR/Mercedes)

4th row

Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes)

Lance Stroll (CAN/Aston Martin)

5th row

Esteban Ocon (FRA/Alpine-Renault)

Nico Hulkenberg (GER/Haas)

6th row

Lando Norris (GBR/McLaren)

Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Alfa Romeo)

7th row

Zhou Guanyu (CHN/Alfa Romeo)

Yuki Tsunoda (JPN/AlphaTauri)

8th row

Alexander Albon (THA/Williams)

Logan Sargeant (USA/Williams)

9th row

Kevin Magnussen (DEN/Haas)

Oscar Piastri (AUS/McLaren)

10th row

Nyck de Vries (NED/AlphaTauri)

Pierre Gasly (FRA/Alpine)

Kayla Barker/OFM Sport