Charles Leclerc takes F1 pole for Ferrari, Daniel Ricciardo struggles in Bahrain

Ferrari is on pole for the first race of the 2022 Formula 1 season while Australia's Daniel Ricciardo will start a lowly 18th.

Charles Leclerc produced a barnstorming lap at the end of qualifying to take pole position in Bahrain, ahead of Red Bull's Max Verstappen and Ferrari teammate Carlos Sainz.

The top three were separated by just 0.129 seconds, setting up an enticing prospect for the first race of the season.

Ferrari has struggled in recent years, with their last win coming in the 2019 season.

With the new era of F1 regulations, Leclerc said the Ferrari team was excited for the future after taking the first pole position of the season.

«The last two years have been incredibly difficult for the team and we were quite hopeful that this new opportunity for us was an opportunity to be back at the front,» Leclerc said.

The Monegasque admitted he thought Verstappen and Red Bull would be quicker in qualifying, saying he expected the reigning world champion to be tough to beat in the race.

«I will stay cautious. The pace is there but the race is long,» Leclerc said.

Reigning constructors' champions Mercedes were off the pace in Bahrain, with neither driver making it into the top-four.

Seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton managed to qualify fifth for Monday morning's race, while new teammate George Russell only managed ninth.

Alfa Romeo driver Valterri Bottas, who was replaced at Mercedes by Russell, shocked many by qualifying sixth.

At the back of the grid, Daniel Ricciardo's horror start to the season continued.

The Australian could only manage 18th in qualifying after missing all of last weekend's testing because of COVID-19.

His McLaren teammate, Lando Norris, was slightly quicker but could only manage 13th, a surprise after the car