Max Verstappen's quest for a fourth consecutive Formula One world championship began in style on Friday with the Red Bull ace claiming pole for the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix. Charles Leclerc's Ferrari will start alongside Verstappen on the front row for Saturday's first of a record 24 races this year. Verstappen's 33rd career pole and third in Bahrain was a welcome boost to Red Bull after a day of continued speculation surrounding team boss Christian Horner. Horner, who had always denied any wrongdoing, was cleared by an internal investigation of allegations of controlling behaviour by a female colleague on Wednesday.