The 2023 Formula 1 season starts as 2022 ended. Double reigning world champion, Max Verstappen took pole position in the first Grand Prix of the year, on the Sakhir circuit in Bahrain. The Dutchman set the best time of these qualifications (1′29′’708) on Saturday. The Red Bulls still dominate the competition. On the starting grid, the first row will be monopolized by the single-seaters of the Austrian team, Sergio Perez having set the second fastest time.
Although he ended his session prematurely, Charles Leclerc will start in third position, ahead of his teammate Carlos Sainz. The Monegasque’s Ferrari failed nearly three-tenths behind Verstappen’s car. Fernando Alonso, a newcomer to the astonishing Aston Martins, made his mark several times in the radius of the best lap times. Finally, the Spaniard came between the Ferraris and the Mercedes, third force on the board last season. Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton (7th time) was overtaken by his British teammate George Russell.
Leclerc’s single-seater had lost a part at the start of Q1, leading to the interruption of the session. Alpine lost a driver from the first stage of these qualifications. Pierre Gasly only set the 17th time in these qualifications for his first Grand Prix with the French team. If he obviously does not have the same experience, nor the same automatisms, with the mechanics of Alpine as Esteban Ocon, Gasly suffered from the comparison with his teammate. Ocon will start from ninth position on the starting grid this Sunday (4 p.m.) at Sakhir.