Ferrari's Leclerc takes pole position for season-opening Bahrain GP

Formula One world champion Verstappen second as Hamilton lies fifth

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc celebrates pole position after qualifying session for the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix. Picture: Giuseppe Cacace, Pool via AP

Charles Leclerc took pole position for the opening round of the Formula One season after edging out world champion Max Verstappen — with Lewis Hamilton only fifth.

Ferrari's Leclerc beat Verstappen by 0.123 seconds in qualifying for Sunday's Bahrain Grand Prix, with Carlos Sainz third in the other scarlet car.