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Max Verstappen
Photo: Darko Bandic / AP
World champion Max Verstappen will start from first place on the grid in the first race of the new Formula 1 season.
During qualifying in Bahrain, the Dutchman from Red Bull was 0.228 seconds ahead of Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) and secured the 33rd pole position of his career.
George Russell in the Mercedes and Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz followed on the second row of the grid.
Record world champion Lewis Hamilton had a disappointing start to the afternoon and will only start the Bahrain Grand Prix from ninth place in his final Mercedes season.
Hülkenberg surprises in the Haas
The German Nico Hülkenberg is racing for Haas again this year and showed an impressive performance in the first qualifying session.
Only top drivers with good cars made it into the third phase; of the weaker teams, only Hülkenberg was there.
The 36-year-old starts the race from tenth place.
Formula 1 starts the new season on Saturday at 4 p.m. (TV: RTL and Sky).
After the start in Bahrain, the Grand Prix of Saudi Arabia follows a weekend later; both races take place on Saturday in consideration of the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan.
The calendar of the most important racing series includes 24 races this year, more than ever before.
As defending champion, Verstappen is the big favorite; at just 26 years old, he is aiming for his fourth world title in a row.
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