Formula One champion Max Verstappen seized pole position for the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix on Saturday with Sergio Perez completing a Red Bull front-row sweep.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz turned out to be the closest challengers in third and fourth with Fernando Alonso, who made waves with his pace in practice, lining up fifth for Aston Martin.
Verstappen had looked unsettled in practice but the Dutch driver delivered the perfect 51st birthday present for his father Jos with a career 21st pole. “I hope he was watching, I’m pretty sure he was watching,” he said.
“I was actually positively surprised we were on pole after the struggles I had in practice,” he added. “Normally our race car is better, so let’s see.” Mercedes qualified sixth and seventh with George Russell and seven times champion Lewis Hamilton.
Costly for Indian fans
Formula One fans in India will have to miss out on live action unless they are ready to cough up a hefty packet to watch their favourite teams and drivers bring the tracks alive.
In recent years, broadcasters Star Sports aired Formula One in India, while Disney+ Hotstar streamed the races. But that will stop this year.
Formula One has launched F1 TV Pro in India ahead of the 2023 season. A digital platform, F1 TV Pro will broadcast all races, including the practice and qualifying sessions, F1 Sprint events and Grand Prix. In India, the F1 TV Access plan is priced at Rs 1,649 for one year. The annual subscription for F1 TV Pro costs Rs 2,499.
Written with Reuters & AP/PTI inputs
