Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc storms to Bahrain GP pole - in pictures

Charles Leclerc took pole position for the opening round of the Formula One season after edging out world champion Max Verstappen – with Lewis Hamilton struggling in fifth.

Ferrari’s Leclerc beat Verstappen by 0.123 seconds in qualifying for Sunday’s Bahrain Grand Prix, with Carlos Sainz third in the other scarlet car.

Ferrari have not won a race since the 2019 Singapore Grand Prix but have been hyped by rivals as early favourites in Formula One’s new era, featuring cars designed to radically new rules aimed at improving the racing spectacle.

"It feels good! The last two years have been incredibly difficult for the team," said Leclerc, who took the 10th Formula One pole of his career.

Sergio Perez took fourth with Hamilton next up, 0.680 seconds back. Hamilton’s Mercedes team-mate George Russell finished only ninth, a further second adrift.

Hamilton arrived for the curtain raiser fearing his Mercedes machine would not be a contender for victory.

And the seven-time world champion’s concerns became reality under the thousands of bulbs that light up the Sakhir Circuit.

And while Hamilton’s Mercedes team might have dominated in recent times, winning the past eight constructors’ championships, they are behind both Ferrari and Red Bull in the pecking order.

Ferrari will be delighted to have delivered on their encouraging pre-season from, with Leclerc claiming his first pole position since last year’s Monaco Grand Prix.

Second place qualifier Max Verstappen climbs from his car in Bahrain. Getty

Leclerc, 24, bidding to become Ferrari’s first world champion since Kimi Raikkonen triumphed for the Italian team in 2007, added: "We hoped this would be a season where we would be back at the front so I am very happy with today.

“There