Max Verstappen secures pole for Bahrain Grand Prix
Verstappen set a 1:35.130 lap for pole, while Isaac Hadjar drops to eighth after a penalty and Kimi Antonelli moves to third.
Max Verstappen claimed pole position ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix after a fastest lap of 1:35.130, continuing Red Bull's strong qualifying form. The margin to second place was roughly three tenths of a second over Lewis Hamilton in the Ferrari.
Key moments in qualifying
This is Verstappen's first pole after a 302-day gap; his previous top qualifying result came in Abu Dhabi. Isaac Hadjar recorded the third-fastest time on the timing sheets, but a penalty will drop him to an eighth-place start, promoting championship leader Kimi Antonelli into the nominal third grid slot.
Charles Leclerc will line up fourth, followed by Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri and George Russell. The top ten was completed by Pierre Gasly and Gabriel Bortoleto.
The Bahrain Grand Prix is scheduled to take place on Sunday at 09:00 local time.
Earlier, FFM opened its doors to the youngest fans and their coaches, an event that preceded the on-track action.
Photo: Formula 1/X
Photo: press material from the event
