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Defending Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen takes pole position in Bahrain, Australia's Oscar Piastri qualifies 18th

Max Verstappen Oscar Piastri Bahrain Carlos Sainz Charles Leclerc Fernando Alonso Sergio Perez Ferrari McLaren Red Bull
Defending world champion Max Verstappen finished with the fastest time in qualifying for the opening F1 race of the season in Bahrain. (Getty Images: Mark Thompson)

Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen has shown Red Bull remains the team to beat by leading Sergio Perez to a front-row sweep in qualifying for the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz were the closest challengers in third and fourth with evergreen charger Fernando Alonso fifth in what will be the 356th race of his career and first for Aston Martin.

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