The Dutch Max Verstappen (Red Bull), current triple champion of the Formula 1got this Friday in Bahrain the first ‘pole position’ of the new season, ahead of the Monegasque Charles Leclerc (Ferrari).
The second row of the starting grid in Saturday’s race will be occupied by the British George Russell (Mercedes) and Spanish Carlos Sainz Jr (Ferrari), both 22 thousandths of a second behind the time of the session winner.
“To be honest, [esta pole position] It’s a little unexpected.”he acknowledged Verstappenwho had only been sixth on Thursday in the free practice day.
“We needed to perfect certain things about the car to have the perfect balance”he noted this Friday, on the eve of the first race of the season 2024which predicts that it will be “close.”
In any case, the RB20 of Red Bullwith an innovative aerodynamic concept, is again presented as a great favorite for this record-breaking season made up of 24 Grand Prix.
Placing its two drivers on the first two lines of the grid, Ferrari confirms the good feelings that he already showed last week in the preseason tests, also held at the Bahraini circuit of Sakhir.
Leclerc says he is “convinced” that his Scuderia has given “a step forward”although he considered that victory will not be easy.
“We really believe that Red Bull still has a lot of advantage in the race”estimated the Monegasque pilot.
The other Red Bullthat of the Mexican Sergio Perezwill start the race in fifth place.
The career of Bahrain Grand Prix It will begin at 6:00 p.m. local time (3:00 p.m. GMT), already at night in the small Gulf country.
In the first two Grands Prix of the season, in Bahrain and next week in Saudi Arabiathe traditional Sunday race is ahead of the Saturday. It is an unusual programming in the Formula 1 which aims to adapt to the Ramadanthe Muslim fasting month, which begins in the region on March 11.
The Spanish veteran Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) will start the race sixth, ahead of the two McLarenthose of the British Lando Norris and the Australian Oscar Piastri.
The seven-time English world champion Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), who had dominated the free practice on Thursday, and the German Nico Hulkenberg (Haas) complete the ‘Top 10’.
Source: Ambito
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