Reigning Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen claimed the first pole position of the 2024 season in Bahrain.
The Red Bull driver beat Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc by 0.228s, with George Russell 0.306s behind in his Mercedes.
Leclerc’s Ferrari team-mate Carlos Sainz was fourth and Verstappen’s Red Bull sparring partner Sergio Perez completed the top five in Friday’s session.
Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso was next up in the order in sixth, followed by the two McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in seventh and eighth.
![Franco Colpinto [front] avoided Liam Lawson [back] at the start of the Australian GP](https://www.motorsportweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Franco-Colapinto-F1-Aus-GP-120x86.webp)
Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton and an impressive Nico Hulkenberg for Haas completed the top 10.
It was a horrible qualifying for Alpine, with both drivers resigned to the final two places on the grid and out in the first session.
Review the full qualifying order below.
[motorsport_result id=’155459′]
![Franco Colpinto [front] avoided Liam Lawson [back] at the start of the Australian GP](https://www.motorsportweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Franco-Colapinto-F1-Aus-GP-350x250.webp)
![Franco Colpinto [front] avoided Liam Lawson [back] at the start of the Australian GP](https://www.motorsportweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Franco-Colapinto-F1-Aus-GP-360x180.webp)
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