Max Verstappen will start the Bahrain Grand Prix from pole position, having set the fastest time during the first qualifying session of the 2023 F1 season.

The Dutchman's lap of 1:29.708 put him in P1, with Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez 0.138 seconds back in P2.

Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz lock out the second row in P3 and P4 respectively, while Fernando Alonso slots into fifth and George Russell is sixth.

The starting grid below is provisional until confirmed by F1's governing body, the FIA.

Starting grid for the 2023 F1 Bahrain Grand Prix
Position	Driver	Team
1.	Verstappen	Red Bull
2.	Perez	Red Bull
3.	Leclerc	Ferrari
4.	Sainz	Ferrari
5.	Alonso	Aston Martin
6.	Russell	Mercedes
7.	Hamilton	Mercedes
8.	Stroll	Aston Martin
9.	Ocon	Alpine
10.	Hulkenberg	Haas
11.	Norris	McLaren
12.	Bottas	Alfa Romeo
13.	Zhou	Alfa Romeo
14.	Tsunoda	AlphaTauri
15.	Albon	Williams
16.	Sargeant	Williams
17.	Magnussen	Haas
18.	Piastri	McLaren
19.	De Vries	AlphaTauri
20.	Gasly	Alpine

Also interesting:

Revealed: 2023 F1 driver salaries

How much money will F1's class of 2023 take home with them? It's easy to assume that the likes of Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc are the sport's biggest earners, find out which F1 stars take home the biggest pay cheques:

Check out the video below:

Get the latest F1 news from RacingNews365 directly in your Google feed! Click on the link below and you’ll see your favourite F1 website appearing even more often. That way, you’ll never miss any news, analyses, interviews, or exclusives.

Follow RacingNews365 on Google

Most read

Nurburgring 24 Hours with Max Verstappen - Qualifying 2 results

Red Bull reveal details behind F1 car breakthrough after 'serious' loss

Christian Horner and Toto Wolff raising the stakes in latest F1 scrap

F1 Podcast

F1 facing 'raw energy' return as Antonelli set to take up Verstappen crown

Nurburgring 24 Hours with Max Verstappen timetable

Nurburgring 24 Hours with Max Verstappen - Qualifying 1 results

Red Bull announce 'bold' partnership with iconic brand

Valtteri Bottas 'getaway car' theft sparks FBI investigation

Throwback

Lewis Hamilton breaks 47-year F1 record in historic entrance

Interview

Mitch Evans hopeful of Monaco boost as strange Formula E 'unknown' remains

In this article

F1 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix RN365 News dossier

WATCH: Behind the scenes with de Vries during full F1 debut

WATCH: Aston Martin show behind the scenes of Alonso podium

Video: Red Bull give behind-the-scenes insight into Bahrain win

The F1 record Verstappen equalled with Bahrain GP win

F1 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix - results

LIVE: Reaction as Verstappen dominates Bahrain Grand Prix

Starting grid for the 2023 F1 Bahrain Grand Prix

What time does the 2023 F1 Bahrain GP start?

F1 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix - Qualifying results

LIVE: Reaction as Red Bull dominate Bahrain GP qualifying

F1 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix - FP3 results

Alonso edges Verstappen in close-fought final practice

LIVE: F1 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix Free Practice 3

How late does qualifying start for the F1 2023 Bahrain GP?

Analysis

Is Alonso really a threat to Verstappen in Bahrain?

Join the conversation!

Never miss a thing from the Formula 1 season! Add the 2026 F1 schedule to your calendar at the touch of a button. Subscribe below and put the dates and times of every race directly on your PC or smartphone, so you don't miss a second from the new season.

Download the F1 calendar Download the F1 calendar

A variant with just the race and qualifying is also available.
Click here to download it..