P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Leclerc: Ferrari ‘lost rhythm’ to beat Verstappen to Bahrain F1 pole
Three-time world champion Verstappen secured pole position in Sakhir, starting his title defense from the front after a fast lap beating Leclerc by 0.228s. Leclerc’s strong Q2 performance could have challenged Verstappen’s time if not for a drop in the final sector due to tire strategy issues. Despite the setback, Leclerc felt positive about Ferrari’s improvements heading into the race compared to last season. Leclerc, who had pole positions in 2019 and 2022, found the right setup for his SF-24 in qualifying, showing optimism for the race pace against Red Bull’s strong showing. Overall, Ferrari’s performance in qualifying was seen as an improvement from previous races, setting the stage for a competitive race ahead.
