OFFICIAL GRID: Who starts where for the 2024 opener in Sakhir, with four teams in the top six

BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN - FEBRUARY 29: Fernando Alonso of Spain driving the (14) Aston Martin AMR24 Mercedes on track during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain at Bahrain International Circuit on February 29, 2024 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

It was a 33rd pole position for world champion Max Verstappen in Friday's Sakhir qualifying session, but the Red Bull man had to work for it, with the likes of Ferrari, Mercedes and Aston Martin pushing him hard.

Charles Leclerc starts alongside Verstappen on the front row, with George Russell and Carlos Sainz lining up behind them. Then comes the second Red Bull of Sergio Perez and the green Aston of Fernando Alonso.

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At the other end of the grid, it's set to be a tough race for the Kick Sauber and Alpine teams. For the former, Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu qualified 16th and 17th respectively. For the latter, Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly will form the final row of the grid.

Starting Grid

FORMULA 1 GULF AIR BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX 2024

Pos.	Driver	Time
1	Max VerstappenVER	1:29.179
2	Charles LeclercLEC	1:29.407
3	George RussellRUS	1:29.485
4	Carlos SainzSAI	1:29.507
5	Sergio PerezPER	1:29.537
6	Fernando AlonsoALO	1:29.542
7	Lando NorrisNOR	1:29.614
8	Oscar PiastriPIA	1:29.683
9	Lewis HamiltonHAM	1:29.710
10	Nico HulkenbergHUL	1:30.502