- Ferrari enjoy supremacy as Sainz takes third behind Verstappen
- Hamilton back in fifth with Mercedes teammate Russell ninth
Formula One’s new era opened with the shake-up at the front of the grid the sport had been hoping for in Bahrain as Charles Leclerc and Ferrari claimed a thrilling pole position in front of reigning champion Max Verstappen. Behind Leclerc, qualifying heralded a potential dog-fight between three manufacturers at the front of the field with Mercedes in the unusual position of playing catch-up to rivals Red Bull and a resurgent Ferrari.
Lewis Hamilton could manage only fifth place for Mercedes with his teammate George Russell ninth. Verstappen could not take his Red Bull to better than second to Leclerc who believed he could have put in an even faster lap as Ferrari delivered on their pre-season promise with Carlos Sainz in third. Sergio Pérez was in fourth for Red Bull with Valtteri Bottas sixth for Alfa Romeo.