Verstappen streaks to Bahrain pole to strike first blow

Double world champion leads a Red Bull front row for season opener with Leclerc in third and Hamilton just seventh

POLE PERFECT: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands talks to a team member as he finishes at pole position during the Formula One qualifying at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain, Saturday, March 4, 2023. The Bahrain GP will be held on Sunday March 5, 2023.(AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)

Max Verstappen struck the first blow of the new Formula One season by securing pole position for the Bahrain Grand Prix.

The double world champion beat Sergio Perez as Red Bull locked out the front row by one tenth of a second with Charles Leclerc third for Ferrari.