Max Verstappen described qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix as “a lot of fun” as he and Red Bull kicked on from their low-key start to the weekend to secure pole position for Saturday’s season-opening encounter.
Having led the way after the first Q3 runs, Verstappen produced an improved time of 1m 29.179s on his second attempt to finish two-tenths clear of Ferrari rival Charles Leclerc, and another tenth up on George Russell’s Mercedes.
READ MORE: Verstappen beats Leclerc and Russell to pole for season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix
Asked for his reaction post-session, reigning world champion Verstappen said: “It was a lot of fun actually. The track had a lot of grip, but with the wind the last two days it’s been quite tricky to get the whole lap together. It was the same in qualifying.
2024 Bahrain GP Qualifying: Verstappen crosses the line to seal pole position for the season opener
“Q1, Q2, you naturally go a bit faster with the track ramping up, but then to really get everything out of it in Q3 was a little more difficult. But of course I’m very happy to be on pole. To be honest, it was little bit unexpected, but luckily in qualifying I think the car came to us and I felt a bit happier with the whole car.”
As for his race pace, and whether he’s worried about any of the cars behind, the Dutchman added: “I think in the race it’s going to be close as well. We do look good in the race and that’s of course the most important [thing], but we’ll see tomorrow. I’m confident that we can have a strong race.”
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“Everything’s so tight out there,” said the Mexican, who was almost half a second off pole. “I didn’t have a great Turn 1 and that means two or three places, you know, given how tight everything is.
“Unfortunately we lost a set [of tyres] going into Q2, we thought we were not safe and then we were. We ended up aborting but it was a scrubbed tyre anyway, so we only had one shot. But things are really close and I think tomorrow is a nice battle, it’s going to be a nice battle ahead.”
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Pushed on whether he’s been surprised at how close the field is, Perez continued: “Not really. It was already in testing, so I’m not surprised. I think things are super, super close out there so it’s going to be an interesting battle tomorrow.”
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PEREZ: BAHRAIN F1 Q3 MISTAKE COST ME TOP THREE GRID POSITION
Sergio Perez was left rueing a mistake on his final lap in qualifying for the Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix that left him four places behind polesitting team-mate Max Verstappen.
Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing RB20
Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
The Mexican finished the Q3 session 0.358 seconds off Verstappen, with Charles Leclerc, George Russell and Carlos Sainz all just pipping him.
Perez heads into this season knowing that he has to perform in order to retain his Red Bull seat for 2025 and beyond.
Despite his campaign getting off to a frustrating start, he remains optimistic after Red Bull’s testing promise translated into a comfortable pole for Verstappen.
When asked by Motorsport.com if the world champion’s pace was encouraging, Perez said: “Yeah, definitely. It's been a positive day for the for the team".
“From my side, I messed up Turn 1, and lost a tenth and a bit. And that was enough to take me from probably P2 or P3. We've seen the gaps.
Watch the key moments from the first qualifying of the season 
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“It was also a shame that we lost the second set into Q2 without a need. We ended up aborting. It was already a scrubbed tyre, but anyway, plenty of things to look forward for tomorrow."
Perez says he feels more comfortable with the RB20 than its predecessor, having struggled to match Verstappen for much of last year.
"I feel there is good potential, and there is good understanding,” he said. “I think we're making good progress. It's the first time we've run it at such a light fuel, and even through qualifying we were making some good progress.
“It's a shame that in the end we didn't get to show it. But I think we are in a much better position, and also our race pace is better. So let's see where we end up tomorrow."
Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing, is interviewed after Qualifying
Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Perez gave a clear indication of the key area that he believes has been addressed relative to the RB19.
"I think the entry stability is better,” he said. “It's obviously still a Red Bull car. But I think it's where we're taking good steps.
"I think we've started the season strongly. The result might not show it, but it's just a matter of putting everything together. We are in a good position for tomorrow, having that flexibility with the softs. We have good tyres for tomorrow."
Regarding prospects for Saturday evening’s race, he said: "I think following has become a little bit harder. So it will be interesting to be with cars around, and see what it's like.
"It's a really, really close out there. I think tomorrow we will still learn a lot, all of us, so it's important to complete the race distance, and then go from there."
Perez also downplayed any distraction in the garage caused by the ongoing off-track saga involving team boss Christian Horner.
"Everyone is fully focused,” he said. “I mean, we are a race team. And everyone in the team comes here to race, and that's our main focus for us."
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