Verstappen on pole, Leclerc gets close to foreshadow battle in Bahrain

Max Verstappen has qualified on pole position for the 2024 Bahrain Grand Prix though Ferrari proved they will be in the mix this season on single-lap pace at least. Charles Leclerc was just two-tenths shy when the Dutchman picked up a significant tow. The Ferrari driver will share the front row with Verstappen. George Russell rounding out the top three. 

The difference between Verstappen and Leclerc was less than one-tenth after the first run in Q3. The Ferrari driver set a purple sector three time. Fernando Alonso had the track to himself while all other cars pitted. The two-time World Champion made the most of his chance, and went third fastest overall at the time he crossed the line. His then purple sector two time once again showed that he and his car are strong in the technical corners.

Verstappen benefitted from a Piastri tow as he started his final lap. Sainz also got a tow, but the Dutchman went purple in sector one. He improved by around two-tenths, and that was the difference between himself and Leclerc. Sainz finished fourth fastest, with Perez starting in P5. 

Q1

The track temperature had dropped by around 10c since FP3. Conditions were significantly cooler than normal at the Bahrain International Circuit, and the wind was stronger than average. After all of the testing and practice, this was the first meaningful session of the 2024 Formula 1 season.

With six minutes remaining, both Stake F1 drivers and Magnussen sat in the drop zone. They were joined by both Alpine drivers. Yuki Tsunoda and Daniel Ricciardo sat on the cusp, whilst Carlos Sainz proved Ferrari were candidates for pole position at the top of the leaderboard. Meanwhile, Logan Sargeant complained about a Mercedes car getting in the way. Once again, a slow-moving queue occurred in the pitlane. 

Stroll made one of the most impressive jumps up to P2 when he crossed the line. Hamilton only managed to jump to P10. Alpine's worst nightmares came true with the 19th and 20th fastest time. They were joined by both Stake drivers and Sargeant. 

Out - P20 Gasly, P19 Ocon, P18 Sargeant, P17 Zhou, P16 Bottas

Q2

Red Bull put on new tyres for the start of Q2 and went half a second faster than Norris on old tyres. Still, the McLaren driver managed to get into the 1:29s on that set. Two Haas drivers, two Visa Cash App RB drivers and Albon sat in the drop zone with six minutes remaining. A maximum delta lap time problem for Russell will be investigated after the session. Another queue appeared in the pitlane for the second part of Q2.

Mercedes left it late and risked yellow flags knocking them out of qualifying, but George Russell and Lewis Hamilton had enough pace to escape Q2. That jump pushed Lance Stroll into the drop zone. Ferrari and Red Bull foreshadowed a pole-position battle. Hulkenberg posted an impressive lap to get him to Q3.

Out - P15 Magnussen, P14 Ricciardo, P13 Alobn, P12 Stroll, P11 Tsunoda