Verstappen on pole for season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix; teammate Perez right next to him in front row

From left: Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc of Monaco, third placed, Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands, pole position, and Red Bull driver Sergio Perez, of Mexico, second place, pose for a photo after the Formula One qualifying at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain, Saturday, March 4, 2023. - AP

SAKHIR, Bahrain, March 4, 2023 (AFP): World champion Max Verstappen claimed pole position for the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix on Saturday, with Sergio Perez completing a Red Bull front-row lockout.

The Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz will fill out the second row with two-time champion Fernando Alonso completing the top five in an Aston Martin.