In Bahrain, Max Verstappen of Red Bull secured pole position ahead of a highly anticipated weekend in Sakhir. He topped the times in a tightly contested qualifying session that also featured Sergio Pérez, Charles Leclerc, and Carlos Sainz from the Ferrari duo, setting the scene for an exciting race day. Fernando Alonso, driving for Aston Martin, will start fifth, promising a strong challenge from mid-pack through the grand prix. The session kept fans on the edge of their seats as the grid began to take shape for the Formula 1 World Championship opener.
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Verstappen secures pole as Alonso breaks into the top five
The reigning champion timed a lap of 1:29.708 to claim pole in a nail-biting Q3, edging out Sergio Pérez by about a tenth. Leclerc, looking for a breakthrough in front of the home crowd, claimed second place while Sainz was close behind in fourth, with a gap of roughly four tenths to the pole time. The results placed Verstappen and Pérez on the front row, a familiar setup for a weekend of intense wheel-to-wheel action in Bahrain. Alonso, meanwhile, demonstrated strong pace in the middle of the session and will line up fifth, ahead of the Mercedes pairing of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell. The early outlook suggested several teams could contend for victory on Sunday.
Alonso carried positive momentum into qualifying after leading the second and third practice sessions, signaling he could be a force in the race weekend. This was a key takeaway as the grid began to settle, with four teams appearing ready to challenge for top honors on race day.
During the early laps in Q1, Ferrari faced delays as Leclerc reported issues with car parts and had to push through a red flag incident caused by a car coming to a stop on track. The middle stint was crucial for the teams choosing tires, and the Red Bulls together with McLaren found themselves in a difficult position as track conditions evolved. Alonso remained a reliable benchmark throughout the practice sessions and was prepared to capitalize when the track offered grip.
The session proceeded with quick laps as drivers sought to lower the benchmark. Alonso set a solid pace, while Verstappen improved on his initial effort, clocking a best time that kept him ahead once more. Leclerc tried to respond, and Sainz pushed for a better time as the clock wound down. In the end, Verstappen led the field with a time that stood up under pressure, while Leclerc and Sainz filled the second and fourth spots. Pérez finished very close behind, confirming a front row locked in for a potential Red Bull double, with Alonso fifth ensuring Aston Martin would start within striking distance of the frontrunners.
The final moments of Q3 saw Verstappen deliver a composed lap, followed by Leclerc making a late attempt to improve after a quick adjustment to his setup. Sainz attempted to advance on a fresh set of soft tires but could not topple the pole time. Alonso confirmed his own pace with a fifth-place run, while the Mercedes drivers maintained their positions behind the top four, signaling a competitive field ready to challenge for the podium on Sunday. The Bahrain GP grid was now clear, and teams began their final preparations for the next day’s battles on the track.
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This is what the Bahrain Grand Prix starting table looks like as teams prepare for race day.
Cars headed to Q2 using a mix of tires, with Red Bull and Ferrari in the mix as the grid started to lock in. Leclerc led the way with a 1:30.282, signaling strong pace as Verstappen and a resurgent Mercedes squad chased a competitive lap. Norris found himself slightly behind, while the rest of the field pushed to improve times before the final laps concluded. The session culminated with a sense of anticipation for the race, as teams prepared to maximize strategy and tire management for the Bahrain circuit.