Charles Leclerc put Ferrari on pole position for Formula One's season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix on Saturday with Red Bull's world champion Max Verstappen set to start alongside on the front row. | Wheels24
Spaniard Carlos Sainz missed out on handing Ferrari their first front-row lockout since the 2019 Mexican Grand Prix by just 0.006 seconds and had to settle for third.
"It feels good, the last two years have been incredibly difficult for the team and we knew this year's rules would be an opportunity for us," said Leclerc after taking his 10th career pole and second in Bahrain.Ferrari has not won a race since the 2019 Singapore Grand Prix but has been hyped by rivals as early favourites in Formula One's new era, featuring cars designed to radically new rules to improve the racing spectacle.
Verstappen, who clinched his first title at last year's finale in Abu Dhabi, had gone fastest in the final practice session earlier on Saturday. However, he could not hit the sweet spot with the balance when it mattered but is confident he has a strong car for Sunday's race. MAX: “I think we have a good car and a good race car. It was a good start to the new era. It was a really close battle with Carlos and Charles”
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