Max Verstappen outpaces Lewis Hamilton to take first pole of season with George Russell only eighth in Bahrain GP qualifying

Max Verstappen secured his first pole position of the season for the Bahrain Grand Prix, which is being held at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia. Driving for Red Bull, Verstappen outperformed the field to take the top spot on the starting grid.

Lewis Hamilton, now driving for Ferrari, qualified in second place on the front row. The qualifying session also saw Kimi Antonelli secure the fourth position, while George Russell finished in eighth place.