P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Reigning Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen took pole position for the 2024 season opener in Bahrain, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc as his nearest rival
Reigning Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen secured pole position for the 2024 season opener in Bahrain, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc as his closest competitor. Verstappen impressively improved his time in the final qualifying lap, setting a benchmark of 1m29.179s, slightly slower than Leclerc’s Q2-topping performance. Mercedes’ George Russell and Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz completed the second row. Verstappen’s teammate, Sergio Perez, secured the fifth spot on the grid, three and a half tenths behind the pole sitter. Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso and Aston Martin opted for a different approach in Q3, finishing in sixth place, closely followed by Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Lewis Hamilton struggled, ending up in ninth place, while Nico Hulkenberg surprised by clinching the final top 10 spot with Haas.
