Bahrain GP qualifying: Max Verstappen takes pole position in Formula 1 season opener
![Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands steers his car during qualification ahead of the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.planetsport.com%2Fimage-library%2Fland%2F700%2F1241588_max-verstappen-2024.webp&w=3840&q=75)
Defending Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen will start in pole position ahead of Charles Leclerc and George Russell in the Bahrain Grand Prix on Saturday.
The build-up to the first race of the campaign has totally been overshadowed by allegations whirling around Horner.
The 50-year-old was exonerated by Red Bull Racing parent's company, Red Bull GmbH, following an internal probe into "inappropriate behaviour" against a female colleague on Wednesday – before hundreds of WhatsApp messages appearing to be written by him were leaked to the F1 world a day later.
However, Horner, who has always denied any wrongdoing and remains in his role, was on the world champions' pit wall here in Bahrain to see Verstappen claim his first pole of a season in which he is expected to romp to his fourth consecutive world championship in his all-conquering Red Bull machine.
But the triple world champion was made to work for the 33rd pole of his career under the thousands of bulbs that light up the Sakhir Circuit with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc second, two tenths back.
George Russell finished third for Mercedes, one place ahead of Ferrari's Carlos Sainz. Lewis Hamilton will line up in ninth on the grid.
Despite taking top spot, Verstappen apologised for what he perceived to be a scruffy lap.
"Don't be sorry, Max," said Horner over the team radio. "You finished two tenths clear of Charles and three tenths ahead of George."
It is anticipated that Horner's wife, Geri Halliwell, will be with her husband for Saturday's 57-lap race.
Chalerm Yoovidhya, who owns 51 per cent of the Red Bull group, is also set to be in attendance in a public show of support for Horner.
"It was a lot of fun," said Verstappen. "I am very happy to be on pole, and it was a little bit unexpected. The car came to us and I felt happier than I did in practice.
"The race is going to be close, too, but we will see tomorrow. I am confident we can have a strong race."
Hamilton raised hope that he might take the challenge to Verstappen when he finished fastest in practice on Thursday.
However, the 39-year-old, entering his final campaign for the Silver Arrows before he joins Ferrari, finished half-a-second back and behind team-mate Russell.
"Max is still out there in front and we have a lot of catching up to do, but starting third here in Bahrain is a great place for us," said Russell.
"We have made a big step forward in single-lap pace, but hopefully we have not compromised our race pace. But Max is out ahead and the race for all of us is for second."
While Verstappen took top spot, Sergio Perez was fifth in the other Red Bull, one place ahead of Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso.
British driver Lando Norris will line up in seventh for McLaren, with Alex Albon 13th for Williams.
Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly will prop up the grid following a miserable qualifying session for the Alpine team.
Qualifying results:
1 Max Verstappen NED Oracle Red Bull Racing 1m29.179s
2 Charles Leclerc MON Scuderia Ferrari 1m29.407s
3 George Russell GBR Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team 1m29.485s
4 Carlos Sainz ESP Scuderia Ferrari 1m29.507s
5 Sergio Perez MEX Oracle Red Bull Racing 1m29.537s
6 Fernando Alonso ESP Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team 1m29.542s
7 Lando Norris GBR McLaren F1 Team 1m29.614s
8 Oscar Piastri AUS McLaren F1 Team 1m29.683s
9 Lewis Hamilton GBR Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team 1m29.710s
10 Nico Hulkenberg GER MoneyGram Haas F1 Team 1m30.502s
11 Yuki Tsunoda JPN Visa Cash App RB F1 Team 1m30.129s
12 Lance Stroll CAN Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team 1m30.200s
13 Alex Albon THA Williams Racing 1m30.221s
14 Daniel Ricciardo AUS Visa Cash App RB F1 Team 1m30.278s
15 Kevin Magnussen DEN MoneyGram Haas F1 Team 1m30.529s
16 Valtteri Bottas FIN Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber 1m30.756s
17 Zhou Guanyu CHN Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber 1m30.757s
18 Logan Sargeant USA Williams Racing 1m30.770s
19 Esteban Ocon FRA BWT Alpine F1 Team 1m30.793s
20 Pierre Gasly FRA BWT Alpine F1 Team 1m30.948s
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