Verstappen begins 2024 F1 season on pole in Bahrain as rivals close in
Max Verstappen took pole for the 2024 Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix on Friday night in Sakhir, resuming his dominant form from last year despite increased competition from his rivals.
Max Verstappen celebrates his pole position in Bahrain. (Mark Thompson/Getty Images/Red Bull Content Pool)
Verstappen set a lap of 1:29.179 in Q3, just over two tenths of a second than Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc, with George Russell to start third.
“It feels good to be back on pole today!" said Verstappen.
"Testing was really good and then this weekend was a bit more tricky for us, it was difficult to get the balance of the car right due to the tricky conditions with the wind being quite strong."
"Heading into qualifying, no one knew where we all stood and it was very tight, but this is exciting for the sport.
Max Verstappen on track during qualifying. (Clive Mason/Getty Images/Red Bull Content Pool)
The Red Bull driver's time was just over half a second quicker than the 1:29.708 lap set last year, with the session taking place in slightly cooler conditions as Verstappen earned his 33rd career pole position.
"Looking to tomorrow, I have a good feeling and am confident ahead of the race," said Verstappen.
"We know it is about looking after the tyres in the best way possible as anything can happen in the race."
"We have a good race car and hopefully we can show the same performance as we did today.”
Charles Leclerc, Max Verstappen, and George Russell were top three in qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix. (Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images/Red Bull Content Pool)
It was an entertaining qualifying session that teased the potential of a three-way battle throughout the season between Red Bull, Ferrari, and Mercedes.
Alpine had a disappointing outing, with Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly last in Q1 and eliminated alongside Valtteri Bottas, Zhou Guanyu, and Logan Sargeant.
The potential for the rebranded RB team was left unfulfilled as Yuki Tsunoda was knocked out in Q2 by just over two tenths of a second, with Lance Stroll, Alex Albon, Daniel Ricciardo, and Kevin Magnussen completing the top 15.
The final session was set to be a duel between Max Verstappen and both Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc of Ferrari, but the threat from Mercedes and Fernando Alonso's Aston Martin also loomed large.
Despite the anticipation, the Ferrari drivers struggled to set the track alight on their final laps, which left reigning World Champion Max Verstappen a clear path to pole.
Tyre analysis from qualifying - click to expand. (Pirelli)
"A very interesting qualifying, in which the difference was in the detail," said Pirelli director of motorsport Mario Isola.
"In Q1 we had 19 drivers all within the same second and in Q3 between the top nine the gap was just five tenths."
"In tenth place, Hulkenberg was the only driver not using new softs because he had none left."
Frustratingly for Ferrari, Charles Leclerc set the fastest time of the day with 1:29.165 in Q2.
"The fact that Leclerc set the fastest time of the day, but is not on pole, is a further sign of just how close it was," said Isola.
Australian Oscar Piastri will start eighth for McLaren, with Daniel Ricciardo 14th for the Visa CashApp RB team.
Watch every session of the 2024 Formula One season live in 4K on Kayo Sports.
