World champion Max Verstappen heads into today`s Bahrain Grand Prix determined to give Formula One`s brand new era a familiar feel, but the Dutchman will first have to overcome the threat of a resurgent Ferrari.
The 24-year-old clinched his first title at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last December and would have hoped to start his title defence in style.
But Charles Leclerc had other plans as he marked a return to form for Ferrari by beating Verstappen to pole position for today`s race.
Formula One is heading into a season featuring the most radical rules overhaul in decades with heavily revised cars designed to improve the racing spectacle.
Ferrari, who last won at the Singapore Grand Prix in 2019, have focussed their resources on the new rules set and their pace in qualifying confirmed their efforts had paid off.
“It feels good, the last two years have been incredibly difficult for the team and we knew this year`s rules would be an opportunity for us,” said Leclerc after handing Ferrari their first pole since the 2019 Mexican Grand Prix.
“I am very happy today in a tricky qualifying session, I wasn`t happy with my driving,” he added.
Despite missing out on pole, Verstappen, second last year in Bahrain, is confident he has a strong race car.
“It was a bit of hit and miss, Q2 seemed quite good, Q3 was a struggle with the balance and to get it together. But we have a good race car and it is a good start for tomorrow,” he said.
Mercedes, gunning for a ninth straight constructors` title, were surprisingly slow. They had already played down their prospects but their predictions had been dismissed as gamesmanship by rivals.
Known for sandbagging in testing, qualifying on Saturday showed they weren`t bluffing with Lewis Hamilton fifth and new team mate George Russell ninth.
But the team, known for engineering their way out of tough spots, are confident they can turn their fortunes around.
“It’s a clean slate for everyone and all to play for,” said team boss Toto Wolff in the build up to the weekend. “I’m excited to see what the weekend has in store.”
